Our New 7-Day!

Check out our new 7-day forecast tonight on KNOP News 2 Thursday Night at 6 and 10, and on the weather webcast at KNOPNEWS2.com. Each and every newscast you will now have a look at your weekend. Because even if its Monday your already thinking about the next weekend. And if your not, you’re lying!

Some of you might be starting your weekend early, and for those of you starting you weekend at the Hoggy Doggy Shadow Splash on Friday, the weather will be decent. Compared to last year, its going to be mild. Temps around 3 pm in North Platte, should be in the mid 40s with sunny skies! A nice day for a dip!

Saturday looks dry and sunny. A few more clouds (in front of the next system) on Sunday. High temperatures will be in the lower to mid 40s.

Models are still trying to piece our Monday weather maker together. The Euro Model takes this system to around Denver Monday morning. GFS (Global Forecasting Model) takes it to southeast Colorado Monday Morning also. The Canadian Model (GEM) slows this system down and doesn’t bring this system into Nebraska until Monday night. Until then I have a 20% chance of snow on Monday and Tuesday until more elements come together.

I want some snow!

And maybe you don’t but I do, and I am not talking a dusting either. I am talking about a 6 to 10 inch snowstorm, like they got back in my home state of Michigan. Right now they’re under a Winter Storm Watch for another 6 to 12 inches.

You all are probably just telling me to move back home, but were just about to close out the month of January on the low end of the precipitation. The National Weather Service says so far we’ve only received 1.4 inches of snow and 0.03” inches of water at the North Platte Airport. If we get a dry February (and yes that means no snow) I am going to get very concerned, as we head towards the beginning of the growing season. So not only would a 6 to 12 inch snowstorm would make your KNOP weather man happy, but it also deep down might make some farmers with winter wheat happy too.

We will miss out on a snow chance tonight. A low pressure system is sliding to the south, giving Kansas and Oklahoma snow. We will be just left with a few snow flurries, and cold conditions, as lows will be in the single digits.

Thursday through Sunday looks dry; highs on Thursday will be chilly, in the 20s. Temperatures will be seasonal over the weekend, with highs close to 40 with lows in the teens Friday through Sunday.
Monday brings a storm system into the Plains, and the Gulf of Mexico opens up. This may bring us some snow to our area. As of right now I have a 20% chance of snow in the forecast. But will continue to re-fine the forecast as we head towards the weekend.

That’s not frost”

“That’s snow and it’s cold”

That’s a quote from one of our KNOP employees who got major system shock when she let her dogs out Tuesday Morning. Everyone felt the shock when they walked outside to much colder temperatures (a difference of about 50 degrees) and about a half inch to an inch of snow on the ground. Strong winds and bitter cold wind chills were also an issue Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Increasing clouds will move in later Tuesday night as the next system moves into the plains. Low temperatures will happen early (around 5 Above to 5 Below) then level out as we get some cloud cover in here over night Tuesday into Wednesday Morning.

Snow moves back in Wednesday, highs will be in the upper 20s, but wind chills will be in the single digits. Snow accumulations will be an inch or less. Colder air moves back in Wednesday night with scattered snow showers and windy conditions. Lows will be around zero with wind chills zero to 15 below.

Thursday and Friday we start to head in the right direction, with sunny skies highs will be in the low 30s on Thursday and close to 40 on Friday.

Slight chance of snow comes back into the forecast overnight Friday into Saturday morning. Then sunny skies come back to the rest of the weekend, with highs in the upper 30s, which is near normal for the (how quickly time flies) first weekend in February.

Another system moves into the plains late Sunday night into Monday, at this time I am forecasting a slight chance of snow.

Don’t forget to vote for team idol!

Back to winter…

Here’s how the advisories stand

Winter Weather Advisory for

Blaine
Cherry
Custer
Hooker
McPherson
Thomas

Wind Advisory for

Chase
Dawson
Frontier
Gosper
Hayes
Keith
Lincoln
Logan
Perkins

All these advisories go through midday Tuesday.

After temperatures in the 60s, winter makes a roaring return late Monday night into Tuesday morning. Strong winds and blowing snow may create reduced visibility and will create dangerous wind chill readings of 20 to 30 below.

Snowfall accumulation north of HWY 2 will be around 1 inch with areas south of there seeing less. Winds through Tuesday AM may gust up to 50mph, especially in open areas.

Warmer Weekend

Warmer Weekend

The big headline for this weekend is the warmer temperatures and the melting snow. High temperatures are expected to be in the upper 40s to lower 50s with low temperatures in the teens and 20s Saturday and Sunday. ENJOY!

The next storm system impacts the area on late Sunday night and on Monday. This storm looks to strengthen over the Dakotas and will start to bring us windy conditions starting on Sunday and continuing into Monday. Will stay out ahead of the system on Monday, so highs will be in the lower 40s, with a slight chance of rain during the day, then a slight chance of snow on Monday night as colder air pours into Greater Nebraska.

It’s a return to winter on Tuesday with highs in the 20s and a stiff northwest wind. Models advertise a system moving through the plans next week Wednesday and Thursday. As of right now I have a 20% chance of snow those days, but will continue to watch and refine the forecast.
Have a great weekend!

Headed in the right direction!

Temperatures on Thursday morning were in the deep freeze as most of the KNOP-TV viewing area saw below zero temperatures, 18 below zero was reported at Valentine, 4 below was reported at North Platte. The silver lining in this morning low temperatures was that the wind was not as strong as it was on Tuesday morning. So wind chill readings were hardly a factor.

Temperatures warmed up nicely Thursday afternoon. With temperatures ranging from the 20s to the north (were there is a nice snow pack), to 30s in the south. A south wind kicks up tonight. This will hold temperatures in the teens tonight, wind chill readings may be in the single digits though with a south wind at times 10-20mph.

A storm system passes to our south and east Friday, That may bring a chance of snow to Eastern Nebraska, but for Greater Nebraska we will be looking at sunshine with 30s in areas that have snow on the ground, and 40s that don’t.

Temperatures will have a wide range the next few days. But everyone should enjoy mild conditions across the area. Saturday and Sunday, snow free areas should approach 50 while other areas nicely warm up into the 40s. I am going to keep a close eye on the snow pack across Greater Nebraska. If we can put a major dent into the snow Friday, everyone shouldn’t have a problem reaching 50 on Saturday and Sunday. But as of right now for the weekend I am going to go upper 40s north and lower 50s south. We may have to contend with a few more clouds on Sunday out ahead of the next system.
Monday the mild air sticks around, but precipitation in the form of rain comes into the forecast. Behind this system on Monday night colder air pours in and we switch the rain over to snow. Snow lingers on Tuesday with colder air, and then we have another shot of snow Wednesday.

One More Night…

For all of you who might need some professional help after the low temperatures the past couple of nights, there is light at the end of the tunnel! Temperatures tonight will range from 5 below in North Platte to about 7 below in Valentine. Winds will be light out of the West/Northwest.

Sunshine returns tomorrow with highs approaching 30-32. It doesn’t stop there with a high of 41 on Friday, upper 40s to near 50 on Saturday, and lower 50s on Sunday. Winter returns Monday with a chance of snow, and highs in the lower 30s.

Enjoy the mild temperatures this weekend!

To Cold To Type

Here are some temperatures from Tuesday morning.

Broken Bow –4
Chadron –16 (Nebraska’s Coldest)
Lexington –6
McCook –3
North Platte –8
Ogallala –4
Thedford –6
Valentine –15


Tuesday morning, wind chill readings at times reached –30, and a wind chill advisory was in effect Tuesday morning for areas north of Highway 2, with the bitter cold temperatures, winds in excess of 10 mph and fresh snow cover. Temperatures somewhat recovered into the upper teens and lower 20s Tuesday afternoon.

Another storm system is on its way Tuesday night into Wednesday. This will bring us another chance of snow. Accumulations will be less than an inch, but we will have winds. At times Wednesday morning, winds may gust up to 40 mph. With the fresh snow cover on the ground and the possible strong winds on the way, a Blowing Snow Advisory has been issued for Eastern Cherry County from 3am-6pm (CST) Wednesday. If you have any travel plans on U.S. 83 north of Thedford toward Valentine, please use caution as visibilities may drop due to the strong winds and blowing snow.

Behind this system, temperatures do not go anywhere. Highs will be struggling to get close to 20. Wind chill readings will be near zero or below. Thursday morning temperatures will once again be below zero for everyone. The good news is the winds will be light. So I don’t think 30 below wind chills will be a factor.

We start to head in the right direction on after the bitter cold start on Thursday. Highs will be near 30 on Thursday, 34 on Friday and near 40 on Saturday and Sunday.

We also have a slight chance of snow on Friday night, and then a rain snow mix on Sunday. Winters chill returns Monday.

This is January!

Snow and cold!

Let’s talk about snow first. Amounts as of Monday afternoon have ranged from around an inch in North Platte, 3-5 inches north of Highway 2, with higher amounts in some areas. About a foot of snow fell around the O’Neil area. An additional 1-2 inches of snow is possible tonight, especially north of Highway 2. A Snow Advisory remains in effect until 12am (CST) 11pm (MST) for areas north of Highway 2. Please use caution while driving tonight with some area roads snow covered across all of Greater Nebraska.

But the bigger story tonight will be the bitter cold temperatures, and the bitter cold wind chills. Low temperatures tonight will range from about 5 to 10 below zero. With wind chill readings ranging from 15 to 30 below, please make sure you dress warmly if you have to go outside Monday Night and Tuesday Morning. Any exposed skin may experience frostbite in a short period of time. If you outdoor animals and livestock, please make sure they have proper shelter, food and water.

Tuesday will be a quiet day with sunshine, still cold though with highs struggling to get to around 20. A.M. wind chills may approach 30 below, afternoon wind chills will be around zero.

Our next storm system moves in late Tuesday and into Wednesday, with our next shot of light snow. But it will re-enforce the cold air back into Nebraska. Thursday morning lows will again below zero.

By the end of the week look temperatures warm up. Highs will be in the Low 30s on Friday, upper 30s on Saturday and near 40 on Sunday. We also have a chance of rain or snow on Sunday, before temperatures take another tumble early next week.

Don’t forget to check out our link to 511Nebraska.org. There you can find the latest road conditions across the state.

It’s going to be a long walk …

Any outdoor outing, even if its just to the car, or to the store door, is going to be really cold. Artic air is in entrenched across most of the northern half of the United States, including Nebraska. A polar surge came in Friday afternoon behind a cold front that drop less than an inch of snow. But with a stiff northwest wind all day Friday, temperatures where struggling through the teens and 20s.

News 2 Trueview Radar is picking up some light snow in the Nebraska Panhandle late Friday afternoon. Low temperatures Friday night across the area will depend on if you have clouds and snow, or crystal clear skies. Areas west of Paxton will have clouds and snow, so those areas will stay above zero. I think folks in North Platte will see a low of zero, and areas north of Highway 92 will be 5 to 10 below with clear skies. Snowfall should remain under an inch, but we will all have to deal with wind chill factors of 10-20 below tonight. Please make sure you dress right for the bitter cold.

Saturday and Saturday night look to be a quite but cold, highs with partly sunny skies will be in the low to mid 20s with a west/southwest wind out ahead of the next storm system. Low’s Saturday will be in the single digits but everyone should stay above zero.

The fun starts on Sunday, snow will be in the increase across Nebraska during the day. By Sunday night and Monday morning, we could have a nice snow event in here. As of right now, there is a possibility of 3-6 inches north of Interstate 80. One to 3 inches south of I-80, and close to the Kansas border maybe some mixed precipitation. There will be some changes in this forecast. Stay tuned to News 2 through out the weekend and Meteorologist Tara Moore will keep you updated.

Temperatures don’t go anywhere on Monday, in fact some areas may not pull out of the single digits for highs. Monday night into Tuesday morning may bring some of the coldest air of the winter with dangerous wind chill readings.

January Is Here

Thursday was a cold start. Here is a look at Thursday’s low temperatures across Greater Nebraska.

Broken Bow 3
Imperial 4
Lexington 5
North Platte -3
Ogallala -4
Thedford 1
Valentine -7

In addition, we had wind chill readings at times near –18


Another shot of snow is on its way Thursday night into Friday that may produce 1-2 inches. The heaviest snowfall looks to be north of HWY 2, with North Platte only receiving an inch or less. Behind that system is another cold night Friday, with lows around 5 below, and wind chill readings approaching –22.

Saturday look dry and cold as temperatures struggle through the teens. Sunday and Monday there is more snow in the forecast. This system will have a touch more gulf moisture to work with so we may have accumulating snowfall. Behind the system may be the coldest air of the season. With a possible fresh snow cover on the ground, temps may go 10-20 below Monday night into Tuesday, with dangerous wind chills.

Some good news

We had above average temperatures for the last 12 days, didn’t that put a smile on your face?

I tried, didn’t I?

January has thrown a huge right punch at us, bringing snow and cold to Nebraska. We really didn’t see too much in the way of accumulation in the KNOP viewing area. Just to our east, though, 2-4” of snow was the average.

The cold is here to stay, with re-enforcing shots of cold air coming down Friday afternoon, and then again on Monday. In fact, Monday could be the biggest shot of cold air this winter season. Some areas may see double digit, below zero air temperature readings next Tuesday morning with dangerous windchill numbers.

There is also a chance of snow starting Thursday night and lasting until Friday. This may bring 1-3” of snow, especially north of HWY 92. I think here in the Platte River Valley accumulations should be around an inch by Friday afternoon. Then we have a stronger system moving in Sunday and Monday. This system may have a little more moisture to work with, so we might see more snowfall across our area.

Winter weather safety

Winter has been easy on us the last 12 days, and I think its time for some winter weather safety tips.

While driving in snow make sure first and foremost you (and it might be tough) must SLOW DOWN. Don’t be in a hurry to go anywhere, and give your self plenty of room between you and the car in front of you just in case he loses control of his car. You have plenty of time to react.

Cold weather tips the next week, no exposed skin, make sure you wear you hat, gloves, scarf and a heavy winter coat. And dress in layers.

If your traveling a few things to keep in your car is jumper cables, blankets, heat packs, sand or salt, a shovel and make sure your cell phone is charged up. Most important thing is never to leave your car and make yourself exposed to the elements.

Make sure your pets are brought inside on these bitter cold nights. If there you can’t bring them indoors, make sure they have a place of shelter, food and water.

Find you hats and mittens!

Here comes the cold and snow! As of Tuesday at 4 p.m., a cold front was located from central North Dakota back into central Wyoming. This is the leading edge of much colder air that will impact Nebraska beginning after overnight Tuesday.

Snow and Blowing Snow Advisories are in effect for Hitchcock and Red Willow counties to the south of the KNOP-TV viewing area, and from Kearney to York, Nebraska. A snow advisory is in effect for Lincoln and Omaha. All of these advisories go through late Thursday afternoon. These areas could possibly see up to 2-4 inches of snow, along with some blowing snow. Please use caution if you are traveling south into Kansas or east towards Lincoln and Omaha.

For the rest of us, I don’t think snow is going to be the problem. At the most, I think the KNOP-TV viewing could see an inch of snow. I think the cold and the wind will be an issue. Windchill readings Tuesday night could be low as –2. Strong winds will create some blowing snow. Winds could gust near 35 m.p.h., just shy of a wind advisory. Need 40 m.p.h. wind gust to get a wind advisory, we will be close and might have one by late Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

Wednesday is going to be a January winter day. We’ll have scattered snow showers across the area. Winds gusting up to 35 m.p.h could create some blowing snow. Highs Wednesday will be in the low 20s. But with the strong winds, it’s going to feel like at or below zero all day.
Our cold and snowy weather continues right through the weekend. With a chance of snow Thursday and Friday, and again on Sunday and Monday, in fact Sunday/Monday’s snow system could be interesting. Highs through Monday will be in the 20s with lows at night in the single digits or at or below zero.

If you want colder weather, wait til Wednesday, or drive to Lexington.

Today’s blog highlights some temperature differences across our area.

There’s a stationary boundary crossing Nebraska, from about Valentine to Cozad.
At 4 pm today (Monday) temperatures and conditions looked like this:
North Platte Sunny and 44 degrees
Lexington Overcast and mist with a temperature of 27
Thedford Sunny skies and 37 degrees
Ainsworth Fog and mist with a temperature of 25

This stationary front is expected to lift as a warm front late tonight (Monday) and will switch the winds to the southwest. This should take the fog with it, especially after midnight. Those southwest winds will warm us up to 50 on Tuesday with sunshine.

There will be no were to run and no were to hide Tuesday night and Wednesday. Colder air will move in and bring a chance of snow showers. At this time little or no snowfall accumulation is expected.

Thursday through the weekend, expect cooler than normal temperatures during the day and single digit temperatures at night. There is also a chance of snow showers every day beginning Wednesday through the weekend. Accumulations at this time look light.

Just get ready for a change on Tuesday night!

A little confused today.

You might here this from me through the month of March. This is my Michigan mind kicking in. Where’s the Snow? Why is it near 50 degrees on Jan 11th? I’m just a little confused today (Friday). Let’s see if this local and national forecast makes a little January sense.

I am working on my meteorology degree through Mississippi State Broadcast GEO Sciences Program Online. I was visiting with my teacher today (Friday), and they had a major severe weather outbreak in Mississippi on Thursday. He chased one of the storms that he believed dropped a high EF-3 tornado, and caused severe damage. A school was severely damaged by the storm as a school bus thrown into it. Fortunately, no one was killed.

Unlike Monday’s severe weather outbreak that brought unusual January tornadoes all the way up to the Great Lakes, this is not uncommon to see a tornado outbreak in the Gulf States this time of year. We live in what’s known as Tornado Alley here in Greater Nebraska. Mississippi, Alabama, and the states near the Gulf are what’s known as Dixie Alley. Their peak tornado season is right now through early April.

In Nebraska, we are going to say good-bye to the sunshine on Saturday as a week storm system moves in to Greater Nebraska. This will bring clouds and a slight chance of a rain and snow mix. Highs will also be a good 10 degrees cooler, only in the mid 30s. Sunday we rebound rather nicely with sunny skies, and highs near 40. We warm up into the mid to upper 40s on Monday and Tuesday before a major change in the weather on Tuesday night.

The warm temperatures will be a distant memory on Wednesday, as highs will struggle to make it into the lower 20s with lows at night at or below zero. There is also a slight chance of snow Tuesday night into Wednesday.

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling, keep that snow on rolling.

I am talking about snow rollers folks. This is an unusual weather phenomenon where large shaped snowballs form as wind blows the snow across the ground. This was seen Wednesday morning across Jewell County, in northern Kansas, and Webster County, in southern Nebraska.

For more information on this very unusual weather scene, here is a link with pictures from the National Weather Service’s website in Hastings NE.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=gid&storyid=12198&source=0


No snowfall accumulation across most of Greater Nebraska Wednesday. An inch of snow fell across the Hayes Center and Eustis areas.

The snow shuts off, and temperatures warm up for Friday. Highs will be in the mid 40s with sunshine. Friday night into Saturday another quick shot of snow moves back in. At this time I see little or no snowfall accumulation, highs on Saturday will be cooler than Friday with the clouds and snow, temps will be in the 30s.
Sunday the sun returns, and so do the 40s, and the 40s stick around Monday and Tuesday. Monday we have another quick shot of snow or a rain/snow mix. Colder air looks to invade greater Nebraska on Wednesday with a chance of Snow. I’ll continue to watch how this will pan out, as we might be in line for a major cold snap mid to late next week.

A few flakes

Clouds are on the increase Wednesday across our area. Precipitation in the form of rain, rain/snow mix and rain are showing up on News 2 Trueview radar all Wednesday afternoon. Most the precipitation is not making it to the ground across Nebraska. But snow is hitting the ground in Colorado.

All of this is associated with a system moving through the Plains. Snow should start reaching the ground after about 6pm Wednesday night in Greater Nebraska. But don’t run and get the shovels, accumulations should be an inch or less tonight through early Thursday morning.

Thursday afternoon the sun returns with temperatures in the upper 30s for highs, and around 40 on Friday with more sunshine.

Friday night, another weak system is scheduled to pull into our area. This will give us another quick shot of snow that may linger into very early Saturday morning.

Most of the day Saturday looks dry, with temperatures slightly cooler behind this system. Saturday’s highs look to be in mid-30s with partly sunny skies. Partly sunny skies return on Sunday with highs in the upper 30s, close to 40.



Good news and bad news.

The good news is that early next week looks above normal with temperatures in the 40s. Bad news, Canada may possibly unleash a cold fury late next week. Temperatures may take a major tumble.
In addition, we have another shot of precipitation on late Sunday night into Monday morning, then again on Wednesday.

Monday was just a freaky kind of weather day in the United States. I have never seen this type of a day in January before.

The battle lines where drawn yesterday across the Great Lakes down to Oklahoma. Ahead of the storm system, very warm (un-January-like) air. Behind the system, cool wintertime air. Those elements set the stage for a wild January severe weather outbreak.

Early reports are indicating possibly up to 40 tornados touched down Monday any where from Michigan and Wisconsin, all the way down to Oklahoma. Some tornadoes rated as high as EF-3 levels with winds up to 136-165mph. And sadly, there were a few confirmed deaths in Southwest Missouri, up to eight people killed nationally.

More severe weather is possible today (Tuesday, January 08,) in areas from Southern Indiana down to the gulf coast. But I do not think they’re going to have the amount of tornadoes that they had on Monday.

But it makes you stop and think, and hope that it was a freak event, and that we’re not in for a wild spring when it’s our severe weather season in Greater Nebraska.
Other than a few chances for snow late Wednesday into Thursday and early Saturday morning, the weather will be pretty uneventful across Greater Nebraska. Temperatures cool down a touch this weekend. But as a ridge builds in the west, temperatures should start to warm nicely beginning early next week.

The Great Escape

No I am not leaving for Florida until April. Even though my body would like me to do that! But I am talking about greater Nebraska escaping a storm system. This will bring snow to Kansas tonight. And a severe weather outbreak from Missouri to almost Southern Michigan, amazing for this time of year that there is a severe weather threat that far north the 1st full week in January.


Temperatures this week a touch at or above normal with highs in the upper 30s and close to 40 during the early part of the week. Then our next storm system moves in Wednesday night into Thursday. This might bring us a quick shot of snow. But it looks like as of right now this is a Grand Island and eastward event. (Stay tuned though) Behind this storm system; temperatures go a bit below normal, with highs in the lower 30s.

The January thaw is on!

As we drove around North Platte on Friday, you might have noticed you didn’t need the full winter gear. Temperatures across Greater Nebraska have easily made it into the mid to upper 40s, with some areas pushing into the lower 50s like Broken Bow.

Where going to sneak out one more mild day Saturday. With most of the snow melting and pretty much gone across the area, I don’t see a problem with everyone making it into the lower 50s Saturday. In-fact, I would be surprised to see someone push 60s in the state Saturday, especially west and north of a line from Big Springs to Thedford, where there is no snow on the ground.

Sunday a weak cold front will push through the area. With a few more clouds, temperatures will have a tough time only warming into the 40s.

On Monday and extending through Tuesday morning, forecasting will get really interesting around here. A storm system is expected to pull out of the southwest Sunday night, and move into eastern Colorado, Monday morning. Setting the stage for a possible winter storm on Monday across Greater Nebraska. Now were still a few days away and I am not going to start throwing out snow totals this far out. But my hunch is, since will be over the freezing mark by a couple degrees Monday afternoon, we might start off as a rain snow mix, before changing to all snow Monday night. It also looks like winds may be an issue, too.

We’re still a couple days out from this possible weather event on Monday, and the forecast will change. So keep up to date with the weather this weekend so you’re not in for a huge surprise on Monday morning.

Meteorologist Tara Moore will be here this weekend with updates Saturday night after football game, and Sunday night at 10pm.