Major Changes To More Typical Fall Weather On The Way

I hope you were able to get out and enjoy the outstanding weather since Saturday, with highs in the 70’s and even 80’s in a few spots, because big changes are on the way which likely means we will not see weather like we’ve just experienced until next Spring.

Tonight will be partly cloudy with lows in the 30’s.

Then as a cold front extending from western North Dakota southward to central Arizona moves eastward, it will gradually pass through Greater Nebraska during the day tomorrow. Since the front is moving slower than originally anticipated, it appears we will enjoy one more relatively mild day tomorrow, but not as mild as recent days mainly due to expected cloud-cover. Expect partly sunny skies and highs in the 60’s to perhaps lower 70’s with light winds.

By tomorrow evening, the front should be through the region, and as weak waves of low pressure move north along the front to our east, the may be just enough moisture to produce some light rain showers initially early tomorrow night. However, as the night progresses it should get cold enough in most areas for some snow to at least mix in with any showers, and it’s possible that a complete changeover to snow showers is possible. Accumulations should not be great even if this happens due to warm ground temperatures, but some grassy areas could see some whitening.

As that disturbance moves to the northeast, Wednesday could dawn with some lingering showers of rain and snow, but then skies should begin to clear with highs only in the 40’s.

Thursday into Friday is where things get interesting. Energy over the Pacific will move onshore late in the day tomorrow in the Pacific Northwest, then dig into the southwestern US during Wednesday. This energy should spawn low pressure near southeastern Colorado by late Wednesday, and this low should then pass to our south and east Thursday into Friday. As this occurs, colder air will be filtering in from the north. Highs Thursday will be in the 40’s but may drop later in the day. Depending on the exact track and intensity of the low, rain or a mixture of rain and snow could develop during Thursday, then change over to mainly snow Thursday night into Friday morning. There is a chance for some accumulation by Friday morning is this scenario materializes, but it is too early to tell at this time how much if anything will fall. As the Pacific energy moves onshore, I should have a better handle on what will occur tomorrow and especially Wednesday, but stay tuned since this could be our first bout of winter weather this season.

For Friday and weekend, fair skies are expected with seasonable highs in the 40’s.

Mike