Rain Showers This Evening, And A Touch Of Winter Tuesday Night Into Wednesday

A weak low over southwestern Minnesota is pushing a trough through the region this afternoon, and this trough is producing just enough lift to cause some scattered showers to develop. These showers should begin to diminish after sunset, and should end a bit later tonight. Skies will remain mostly cloudy overnight as lows drop into the 20’s.

During Tuesday, and Alberta Clipper will moves southeastward through Montana into Wyoming, and eventually into northwestern Nebraska tomorrow night. This system could produce a few showers during the afternoon, especially across northern parts of the viewing area. Highs will reach the 50’s under partly sunny skies.

During Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, the Clipper will move into southeastern Nebraska, and as colder air moves into the region on gusty northwest winds any rain showers will change to snow showers. Most areas will not see any accumulation, but some northern areas like Valentine could pick up an inch or two. Winds gusting up and over 30mph, and possibly even 40mph in a few places cloud cause some blowing snow over any areas where snow accumulates as lows drop into the 20’s.

Any snow should end Wednesday morning, but gusty northwest winds will continue to send colder air into the region and highs will stay in the 30’s over much of Greater Nebraska during the afternoon, with perhaps some low 40’s over southern areas like Imperial.

But temperatures should quickly become milder Thursday and Friday ahead of an arctic cold front dropping southward through the northern Rockies and Plains. Highs will reach the 50’s once again under sunny skies.

The weather for the weekend into early next week is somewhat uncertain since it is not yet known how far south the arctic front will get, and when it will move through the area. It is possible that the front could move through Greater Nebraska as early as the weekend, or as late as Monday. This front will have a major effect on the temperature forecast since highs to our north will be quite cold with highs in the single digits and teens and lows near or even below zero, so some very cold air will be lurking just to our north. Right now, I am forecast highs this weekend into Monday in the 40’s, but these highs could be lowered during the week if it becomes apparent that the arctic front will press through the area soon. The front could also be accompanied by some snow, so stay tuned to later forecasts which will become better refined as we get closer to the weekend.

Regardless, a shot of cold air does look to move through the region next week, just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Mike