Winter Storm Ending, But Bitter Cold Remains

Happy New Year!

Our winter storm is just about over, but frigid temperatures and wind chills, along with snow covered and icy roads, will be with us into News Year’s Day and beyond.

The storm which produced anywhere from 2 to almost 11 inches of snow as of 5pm CT, and drifts several feet high in some areas, is now located over Iowa, and will continue to loose its grip on Greater Nebraska as it moves into Minnesota overnight. Since some snow is still falling as of 5pm CT, it’s possible that snow totals in some areas could slightly increase by the time we get to tomorrow morning.

However, on thing that will not increase is the temperatures, which are on their way to below zero readings in nearly all areas overnight. In fact, some areas like Valentine and Broken Bow never got above zero this afternoon. Look for some light snow to continue overnight, especially over the Sandhills, and winds gusting between 25 and 35mph will continue to cause blowing and drifting, and winds chills anywhere from -20 to -35. In fact, a Wind Chill Advisory is in effect for all areas until noon CT Saturday.

On Saturday, frigid temperatures and low wind chills will continue during the morning, but as winds decrease and temperatures rise into the teens, and some sunshine appears, it won’t feel quite as harsh outside.

Saturday night will be very cold with lows in many areas in the minus teens under mostly clear skies with light winds.

By Sunday, sunshine and light winds will make highs in the 20’s feel much more tolerable.

As high pressure remains in control for at least the next week, look for days to be mainly sunny with highs in the 20’s, reaching the 30’s Wednesday, and lows from just below zero to the teens. No more winter storms are in sight.

Mike

A Potentially Dangerous Winter Blast Heading For Greater Nebraska

A potentially dangerous situation for holiday travelers is shaping up for Greater Nebraska.

An arctic cold front will move through the region tomorrow morning, ushering in some bitter cold arctic air on gusty northerly winds. Highs tomorrow will fall throughout the day reaching the teens and lower 20's by evening from overnight lows tonight near or just under freezing. Watch for some patchy fog and mist tonight, which could freeze on some surfaces with mostly cloudy skies.

On Thursday, low pressure will be developing over eastern Colorado, destined to move across Kansas Thursday night into Friday, then northeastward into Minnesota Friday evening. This low will bring accumulating snow and strong, gusty winds on the order of 35 to 40mph beginning later tomorrow and extending through Friday. Some light snow could begin over western areas as early as late tomorrow morning, but should hold off in most areas until afternoon. There could be a light wintry mix for a time over southeastern areas like Lexington before a change over to snow.

By tomorrow evening, the snow should become steadier, then heavier during the overnight into Friday morning as lows drop toward the zero degree mark with gusty northerly winds. These winds will cause blowing and drifting of the snow, and very low wind chills, so travel is not at all recommended tomorrow night and Friday.
On Friday, snow will continue but should begin to taper down during the afternoon with highs only in the single digits with very gusty winds causing a continuation of blowing and drifting snow. Wind chills will be down into the minus teens to minus 30 degree range, making for very dangerous conditions for travel since you can become stranded in these conditions.

Additionally, if you are traveling by air, chances are that your flight will be delayed or cancelled if you are flying anywhere in the western half of the country since severe winter conditions are affecting at least portions or every state except Oklahoma and Texas.

The snow will have ended by Friday night, but blowing and drifting will continue with lows falling below zero with bitter wind chills. Right now, it looks like four to eight inches of snow will accumulate beginning tomorrow afternoon and continuing through Friday. However, these are preliminary totals and could change.

News Year's Day will be partly sunny and breezy, but very cold with highs only in the single digits and teens.

Stay tuned to News 2 for the latest on this winter storm situation.

Mike

Still Nice Wednesday, But Then Drastic Changes Starting Thursday

The weather on Wednesday will be very similar to the past couple of days with some sunshine and highs in the 40’s to near 50. However, do not expect the remainder of the week to end on a comfortable note.

High pressure over the eastern states remains in control of our weather pattern, and southerly winds continue to allow relatively mild highs during the day, and chilly but not too cold lows at night. Tonight will be partly cloudy with lows falling into the teens to near 20.

During Wednesday, an elongated area of low pressure extending from eastern Montana to eastern Colorado will strengthen to our west, and this will cause southerly winds to strengthen during the afternoon with some gusts approaching 25mph. However, highs under partly sunny skies will once again reach into the 40’s to near 50, so another pleasant day for this time of year.

The Montana low will move eastward, and by Thursday morning be over south-central South Dakota, dragging an arctic front southeastward into Greater Nebraska. Ahead of this front, lows will not fall much Wednesday night, ranging from the middle 20’s to near freezing. However, a bit of moisture could cause some drizzle, which could freeze on some surfaces.

During Thursday morning, the arctic front will push through Greater Nebraska, and northerly winds will strengthen and drag much colder air into the region. Highs will fall throughout the day, reaching the single digits and low teens across the Sandhills, and the middle teens to lower 20’s elsewhere. In addition, there could be some light wintry precipitation behind the front, possibly some freezing rain and sleet, which would change to snow by evening. Although light, this could cause some slick spots. Also, wind chills will begin to drop, making it very uncomfortable.
By Thursday evening, the Colorado low will begin to strengthen and drop southeastward to the Oklahoma Panhandle, and this is where things could become quite dangerous. Snow should become steadier Thursday evening, then continue into the day on Friday as the low moves across Kansas into southeastern Nebraska during Friday.
In addition, northerly winds will strengthen further, with gusts approaching 35 to perhaps 40mph, which will cause blowing of any snow. Also, lows will fall to below zero across much of the area, perhaps staying just above zero over southwestern areas Thursday night, then only recover to around zero in the Sandhills to the single digits and low teens elsewhere Friday. Wind chills from the minus teens to perhaps as low as minus 30 will occur during this time. This will make it quite dangerous to be outside for any length of time.

As for snow accumulations, right now it looks like a general 3 to 6 inches will fall, with the lower amounts over southern areas like Imperial, North Platte and Lexington, with the higher amounts across the Sandhills and Panhandle. This will make travel quite dangerous, especially since holiday travelers will be on the road.
Please note that this forecast could change since the storm track and intensity is not set in stone. If the storm is stronger or slows down, or tracks a bit further southeast, we could get more snow. Conversely, if the low tracks further northwest, we could see less snow, especially over southern parts of the viewing area.

Once the storm pulls out Friday night, we will be left with cold temperatures for the New Year, with lows near or below zero and highs only in the teens.

Please stay tuned to News 2 for the latest on this potentially dangerous winter weather.

Mike

A Cold But Fair Christmas Weekend Expected

A very Merry Christmas to all!!

And the weather for your holiday plans will be cold, but should not cause any major problems.

High pressure over north-central Canada will control our weather for the next several days as it drifts slowly south and southeastward. As a result, it will be cold through the holiday weekend, but after mostly cloudy skies tonight clear out tomorrow morning, skies will be mainly sunny through midweek next week. However, watch for some areas of fog later tonight into tomorrow morning as lows fall into the single digits.

But mostly sunny skies should dominate by Christmas afternoon with highs near freezing with light and variable winds.

Christmas night will be mostly clear and cold with lows near 10.

Then Sunday will be sunny and still cold with highs in the 30’s.

Temperatures early next week will begin to moderate a bit, and by Tuesday we will likely see at least a few areas sneak into the 40’s with sunshine. This moderation will continue Wednesday.

There are indications that a major change in the weather pattern over North America will occur later next week. For several weeks now, the general pattern has featured a trough in the Gulf of Alaska, a ridge in the Rockies, and a trough over the eastern states. However, it appears a reversal will take place with more of a ridge developing to the south of Alaska, and also over the eastern states, with a deep trough over the western and central U.S. As this reversal occurs, the energy that will be carving out this new jet-stream pattern may produce a significant, if not major storm that would affect much of the country from the Rockies eastward. The latest information right now shows that a major winter storm could occur in Greater Nebraska during the Thursday through New Years weekend time period next week. However, this potential event is still a week away, and the exact development, track and strength of this storm all need to be determined, all of which will have a major impact on what our region sees from this storm, if anything. Therefore, please check back with News 2 beginning Sunday and into next week for the latest on this potential storm.

In the meantime, please have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!

Mike

No White Christmas, But Remaining Cold

Well we won’t have a white Christmas this year, but the good news is that the weather will cooperate for anyone traveling for the Christmas weekend. However, if your will be traveling northward or southward, and especially eastward tonight or tomorrow, be prepared to run into some snow and ice.

A disturbance passing over the Dakotas is causing snow on the order of sever inches over the Dakotas, and this snow will spread into Minnesota and Iowa tonight and tomorrow. At the same time, a developing system over the Oklahoma/Texas Panhandles will drop southward into the heart of Texas Friday, reaching the Gulf Coast Friday night. This system is already spreading some snow and ice over central and especially eastern Kansas, with rain into Oklahoma and Texas. It is also producing some showers near Denver, which will move eastward tonight.

We are sandwiched between the two systems, and although there is lots of moisture around in the form of clouds, fog and mist, we have seen very little in the way of snow since the dynamics necessary to produce it are too far to our north and south. However, along with some fog and mist, we could see a flurry or two tonight as lows drop into the teens with cloudy skies. Watch for some slippery spots, especially on bridges and overpasses where some of the mist could freeze.

After any morning fog and mist, Friday should become partly sunny during the afternoon with highs in the 20’s Sandhills to the 30’s south.

Tomorrow night will be partly cloudy with lows falling into the single digits in many areas.

Then Christmas Day will be mainly sunny but continued cold with highs mostly in the 30’s.

Sunday into next week should be mostly sunny, and it will become a bit milder each day with highs in the 30’s Sunday and Monday, but getting into the 40’s Tuesday and Wednesday.

There are indications that a major winter storm could develop later next week over the Central Plains just in time for the New Year’s weekend. While it is very early to speculate what may occur, this potential storm is something to watch since it could bring snow and wind, and very cold temperatures to Greater Nebraska during the Thursday to Sunday time period next weekend. We here at News 2 will monitor and will keep you updated if it appears the storm will materialize.

Mike

If You Are Hoping For A White Christmas - Wish Hard!

We will need to wish very hard if we want a white Christmas this year!

It appears the possibility of having snow on the ground Christmas day, at least enough to give us a genuine white Christmas, is diminishing as only some very light snow and flurries are expected across Greater Nebraska beginning Thursday afternoon and continuing occasionally until Friday morning. The main system will track too far to our south over Texas, and most of its moisture will remain to our south. At the same time, a disturbance tracking through the Dakotas will spread snow as far south as extreme northern Nebraska. So our region will be sandwiched in between the two systems, with very little in the way of moisture expected.

First for tonight, expect skies to become cloudy with lows in the teens with a light southeasterly breeze.

Tomorrow morning should only be cloudy, but during the afternoon we should see some flurries begin to develop, which may translate into some occasional very light snow toward evening. Highs will be in the 20’s Sandhills to near freezing south.
Tomorrow night, some occasional light snow and flurries should continue as lows fall into the teens.

Then any snow should end during Friday morning, and some sun should appear for the afternoon with highs near freezing.

Accumulations from the event will be very light, from nothing to perhaps an inch in some areas, with the most over northern areas like Valentine and perhaps eastern areas like Broken Bow. However, this could be enough to create some slick spots so be cautious driving and walking.

By Christmas day, high pressure nosing down from Canada will allow for sunny skies, but cold highs in the 20’s Sandhills to near freezing south.

Fair weather is then expected into the middle of next week, along with a trend for a bit milder temperatures.

Stay tuned to News 2 for the latest on this upcoming snow event.

Mike

Perhaps Some Snow Right Before The Christmas Holiday

Unfortunately it appears that many people, at least in North Platte, did not have a chance to view last night’s total lunar eclipse due to extensive cloud cover, but hopefully most were able to at least get a glimpse from time to time.

And while there was some sun this morning in some areas, clouds were abundant throughout the day, and highs ranged from the upper 20’s north to the low 40’s southwest. Tonight will see a continuation of mostly cloudy skies, and lows will range from the low teens north to near 20 southwest.

Wednesday won’t be much different from today with lots of clouds, though highs should be a bit colder, mainly in the 20’s over the Sandhills to the low 30’s southwest.

Skies will become overcast during Wednesday night ahead of an approaching system from the West Coast, and some light snow could develop toward morning over the Panhandle and the Sandhills as lows fall into the teens.

Our weather Thursday and Thursday night will be dominated by a system that will be developing over the Four Corners Thursday morning, and will move to the Oklahoma/Texas Panhandles Thursday evening, then continue east-southeastward into Friday. In addition, there will be an upper-level disturbance moving by over the Dakotas at the same time. This will leave Greater Nebraska sandwiched between the two, with some light snow quite possible during Thursday into Thursday night, possibly extending into Friday morning over eastern areas. Highs will remain in the cold 20’s with lows in the teens. Right now, it appears that we could see some light accumulations of an inch or two, especially over northern and eastern areas, but no heavy snow is anticipated at this time since the storm is not expected to really intensify until it gets to our east.

However, there are still questions about where the storm will develop and track, and this could change the expected accumulations so please check back with News 2, especially if you plan on traveling for the holiday Thursday or Friday.

Regardless, Christmas day is looking mainly sunny and cold with highs in the 20’s to near 30.

Mike

Perhaps An Interesting Week Of Weather

A busy week weather-wise for Christmas week.

First for tonight, there is a total lunar eclipse that begins at 12:33am, and will continue until 4:01am, with totality occurring between 1:41am and 2:53am (all times Central Time). Unfortunately, much of the even may be at least partially obscured by clouds, though clouds should thin out or break at times enough so that we will be able to see at least a portion of the event. Lows will drop to near 20 with light winds.

Then winter begins tomorrow at 5:38pm CT, and will be greet by lots of clouds and perhaps a few flurries, especially over the Sandhills and Panhandle with highs in the 20’s north to 30’s south.

Tomorrow night and Wednesday should be partly to mostly cloudy with lows falling into the teens, and highs Wednesday in the 20’s north to near freezing south.

But the most interesting part of the forecast will come late Wednesday night into Friday morning. A storm system will begin to take shape near the Four Corners Wednesday night, then move east-southeastward to our south Thursday into Friday. This storm has the potential to produce some accumulating snow over Greater Nebraska, which if it occurs would provide us with a white Christmas. However, there are many questions concerning the evolution of this storm. For example, the storm may not fully develop until it’s too our east, or it may move too far to our south to give us much in the way of snowfall. Right now, it does appear that we will receive at least some snow, but how much is still in question. But if everything were to fall into place, we could see several inches of snow in some areas, which could be a problem for some travelers who expect to get an early start on Thursday. Highs Thursday and Friday should remain in the 20’s, with perhaps some low 30’s by Christmas day with more in the way of sunshine.

Another disturbance may cause some snow showers Sunday and Monday with highs in the 20’s and 30’s.

So stay tuned to News 2 for the latest on what may turn out to be quite an active week of weather for the holiday.

Mike

A Cold And Perhaps Wintry Weekend Ahead

A nearly stationary front right over Greater Nebraska this afternoon will slip a bit further south to the Nebraska/Kansas border Saturday morning, before moving back north as a warm front overnight Saturday. Behind the front, there have been lots of low clouds, and this has held highs into the 20’s over the Sandhills, while some sunshine over southern areas pushed temperatures into the 30’s. As the front continues to slip south, low clouds and perhaps some fog will develop tonight as lows drop into the single digits and teens with near calm winds.

Saturday may begin with some morning fog, then the afternoon will be mostly cloudy with perhaps a bit of sun, but highs will be in the cold 20’s north to perhaps the lower 30’s southwest.

As the front moves northward Saturday night, some snow flurries or very light snow could develop toward Sunday morning, but the activity shouldn’t cause too many problems as it should be quite light with lows in the teens to lower 20’s.

Some flurries or very light snow may continue into Sunday, but we may see the activity taper off during the afternoon as highs climb into the 30’s and even some 40’s just about everywhere in Greater Nebraska under mostly cloudy skies.

By Sunday night, things could get interesting as an area of low pressure develops over Colorado and begins to move east. The low is expected to pass over or just to the south of the region during Monday, and as it does we could see a wintry mix of precipitation develop and continue into the day on Monday. Right now, snow appears most likely Sunday night over the Sandhills, with snow or freezing rain over southern areas from Broken Bow to Oshkosh southward.

By Monday, freezing rain is possible even over the Sandhills, with perhaps some snow as well, with freezing rain more likely over the south, and perhaps even some plain rain in areas like Imperial. The precipitation should be relatively light, but if freezing rain does occur it only takes very little to cause dangerous conditions, so please stay tuned to News 2 for the latest forecasts over the weekend as the scenario and timing is fine tuned.

The activity should be over by Tuesday, with fair and seasonable conditions for the middle and end of next week, which will be good for anyone traveling for the Christmas holiday next weekend. However, with Christmas still a week away, the forecast can change so tune in all next week to news 2 for the latest on your Christmas weekend forecast.

Mike

Colder Friday And Into The Weekend

More sunshine than expected pushed temperatures a few degrees higher today than I anticipated yesterday, but the next several days will be colder as arctic air filters in.

A weak boundary lies to our north and east from Montana into northeastern Nebraska, and this boundary should shift south and westward tonight into Friday, allowing colder air to come in from the north. Tonight will be mostly clear, and lows will fall into the teens with a light wind.

Then Friday will be mainly sunny, but highs will rise only into the 20’s across the Sandhills to the 30’s over southern portions. However, since winds will be light it should not be too bad to be outside.

Saturday will be fair with partly sunny skies and highs should be similar to Friday, in the 20’s and 30’s. There could be a few flurries overnight Saturday as a disturbance approaches.

But a system developing to our west looks like it will push either right over us or just to our south Sunday into Monday, and we could see some light wintry precipitation, especially over the Sandhills during this time period. Overall, it should not be significant, but if any freezing rain occurs that could be a problem since it takes very little to cause slick conditions, so this weather scenario will be monitored over the next few days so please stay tuned to News 2 for the latest forecast.

Then it appears another milder spell will begin for the middle of next week with highs approaching or exceeding 40. Right now, chances are still looking very low for a white Christmas in Greater Nebraska, but with the holiday still more than a week away things could still change. Statistically, about 1 in every 4 years has at least one inch of snow on the ground Christmas Day, and last year was one of those years, so chances are we will not see a white Christmas this year, but again, I will let you know if things change.

Mike

Wintry Mix To End Later Tonight, Then Fair And Seasonable

A weak cold front and an upper-air disturbance combined to produce a wintry mix of precipitation across Greater Nebraska today, with many areas seeing some rains showers, especially across the southwest, but in the Sandhills and over Custer County some of the precipitation fell as a bit of freezing rain and snow showers. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Custer County until 8pm CST for the possibility that light freezing rain could cause some slick roads, and slippery spots could develop anywhere until the precipitation shuts off around midnight. Otherwise, expect partly cloudy skies overnight with lows near 20 with a chilly northwesterly breeze.

On Thursday, the region will be under the influence of a high over Montana and Idaho, which is of Pacific origin so highs will be in the seasonable 30’s with a mixture of clouds and sun, but a brisk breeze will make it feel a bit chilly.

However, arctic air is not far away, basically situated from the Dakotas eastward. A front currently extending from the Dakotas through eastern Nebraska will move westward as a cold front during the next couple of days, so we will see temperatures trend downward into the weekend as some of the arctic air makes it into the area. Highs Friday and Saturday with sunshine will be in the 20’s to low 30’s, with lows falling into the single digits and low teens. So not bitterly cold like last weekend, but still chilly nonetheless.

By Sunday, a system developing to our west over Colorado may get close enough to produce some rain and snow showers during the afternoon and night, ending Monday morning, but right now this does not look to be significant. Highs into early next week will stay in the seasonable 30’s.

By Wednesday, a milder trend may begin as a high pressure ridge moves eastward into the Plains, and highs should get back into the 40’s.

Still no sign of a White Christmas for Greater Nebraska, but I will keep searching for any possibilities!

Mike

A Trend Toward Seasonable Temperatures With Perhaps Some Light Precipitation

Today felt much nicer to be outside with highs in the 40’s and 50’s, with Ogallala approaching the 60 degree mark with upper 50’s. However, we will reverse the trend Wednesday and turn a bit colder, though nowhere near as cold as what occurred this past weekend.

Tonight will be mostly cloudy and not too cold for this time of year with lows near the 20 degree mark.

A front will approach from the northwest Wednesday, and will move through Greater Nebraska during the day. This front, along with a couple of disturbances that will move southward with it, will cause lots of clouds for Wednesday, and perhaps a few rain and snow showers, especially during the afternoon as highs crest in the 30’s north to the 40’s south. Any precipitation should be light and not cause travel problems, though over the Sandhills there could be a few slick spots where it will be colder. A northerly breeze will develop during the afternoon with winds gusting up to 25mph.

Once this front and disturbances move by, the weather over Greater Nebraska will mainly be governed by high pressure over the Northern Rockies and Plains. Temperatures through the rest of the week into the weekend will be seasonably cold, with highs in the 30’s, perhaps 20’s over the Sandhills, and lows in the teens. Skies will be partly to mostly sunny by day and partly cloudy at night.

No big storms are on the horizon, and with Christmas only about 10 days away, the chance of a white Christmas is not looking very high at this time. Perhaps Santa will surprise us with at least a bit of snow just before the Christmas holiday, and I will continue to keep an eye for any possibility of this occurring.

Mike

Moderating Trend Through Midweek Then Seasonable Through The Weekend

Greater Nebraska was certainly very cold and windy over the weekend, but we were fortunate that a storm that plastered areas to our north and east did not develop about 300 miles further southwest. If it had, we would have been digging out of lots of snow, and faced some very dangerous winter conditions and potential road closures due to blizzard conditions. In fact, those conditions were experienced as close to us as eastern Nebraska, where Omaha was under a blizzard warning during Saturday afternoon and night.

Now the arctic high pressure that brought the bitter cold temperatures is moving slowly eastward, and this is allowing the cold to moderate slowly, and this moderation will continue through the middle of the week as a southerly flow of air continues. Tonight will be mostly cloudy, and it won’t be quite as cold with lows near 20.

Tuesday will be partly sunny and nice in the afternoon as highs reach the 40’s and 50’s, with light winds.

As a system drop southward to our west on Wednesday, skies will be mostly cloudy, and there is a slight chance of a rain or snow showers as highs reach the 30’s north to the 40’s south, and a gusty breeze will make it feel somewhat colder.

For the remainder of the week and the weekend, Greater Nebraska will remain in a dry weather pattern as the jet stream becomes aligned more west to east, and temperatures will be seasonable with highs in the 30’s and lows in the teens.

Mike

Turning Much Colder And Windy For The Weekend

Lexington hit 60 again today, with all other areas across Greater Nebraska reaching the 50’s for another mild day despite the clouds. And we will see mild temperatures again next week, but first we need to get through a much colder weekend.

An arctic front will move through tonight, and will put an abrupt end to our current mild spell. The front is currently extends from west-central Montana to northeastern Wyoming, then eastward over southern South Dakota where it intersects a developing area of low pressure over south-central South Dakota. The front then continues eastward into the central Great Lakes. But as the low moves eastward into Iowa later tonight and tomorrow, it will rapidly intensify and drag the cold front through the region early tonight. It will also cause very gusty northwesterly winds from 35 to 45mph in gusts from later tonight through much of Saturday, which will pull arctic air in association with a strong arctic high now over central Canada southward into the area.

In addition, the front could cause a few rain light rain showers this evening, but after the front moves through a few snow showers are possible, especially over the Sandhills where some light accumulations under one inch are possible, and there is a chance of a few slick spots this precipitation should be quite light and not cause too many problems. Lows tonight will fall into the teens by morning, but the gusty winds will make it feel much colder. Skies will be mostly cloudy.

By Saturday, the low will be causing blizzard conditions from Iowa into parts of Minnesota, but will be too far east of Greater Nebraska to produce much snow, so any morning flurries will end but it will remain quite windy with gusts 35 to 45mph, and highs will range from the teens north to the 20’s south. Skies should be partly sunny during the afternoon.

As the Iowa low continue toward the central Great Lakes, winds will begin to diminish Saturday evening, but the overnight will be very cold with lows ranging from just below zero across the north, to the single digits and low teens over Southwest Nebraska. Skies will be partly cloudy.

Sunday will be partly sunny and much less windy but still cold as the arctic highs over North Dakota and Minnesota remains in control, and highs will reach the 20’s over eastern areas to the 30’s west.

Then, as the arctic high pushes east early next week, we will see another moderating trend with highs in the 40’s to even 50’s from Monday to Wednesday under partly sunny skies. Temperatures will turn a bit cooler toward the end of next week. No big storms are in sight for at least the next week.

Mike

A Beautiful Friday, Then Much Colder Saturday

Highs reached will into the 50’s across Greater Nebraska today, with North Platte reaching the 60 degree mark, and with sunshine it was an outstanding December afternoon weather-wise. And we will enjoy one more beautiful day before arctic air returns this weekend.

High pressure to our west over Colorado and Wyoming produced west to northwest winds that warmed quickly east of the mountains, and this allowed highs to reach the mid 50’s as far north as South Dakota. This high will control our weather through Friday, and we can expect mostly clear skies tonight with lows only dropping into the 20’s with light and variable winds.

We may see a few more clouds Friday than we did today, especially during the afternoon as the arctic front begin to approach, but temperatures should still reach the 50’s to near 60 with a southwesterly breeze.

But the arctic front will move southward through Greater Nebraska overnight Friday, and it may produce some light rain early which will change to light snow as lows drop into the teens. Also, a low pressure strengthens to our east over Iowa, gusty northwesterly winds to 35mph will make it feel colder.

Any light snow should end Saturday morning, with little if any accumulation expected, then partly sunny skies will develop. However, highs may remain steady or even fall a bit in the afternoon, staying in the teens north to perhaps near 30 over the extreme southwest. Winds will remain very gusty out of the northwest, producing low wind chills.

Saturday night will remain blustery and cold with lows in the single digits and teens with mostly clear skies.

Then Sunday will be partly sunny and not as windy, but still cold with highs in the 30’s.

Expect another warm-up early next week with highs in the 40’s and 50’s, before it turns colder again for late next week as our see-saw temperature pattern continues.

Mike

A Couple Of Mild Days Ahead Before A Wintry Weekend

After a cold start, this afternoon was a few degrees milder than yesterday with highs in the 40’s to a few low 50’s. And the next couple of days will be even milder, but another major cooldown is lurking for the weekend.

A stationary front lies just to the east of Greater Nebraska, and separates very chilly air over extreme eastern Nebraska from milder air over western Nebraska. Highs in Norfolk did not get out of the mid 20’s today, while highs in Chadron reached the mid 50’s. Low pressure over southern Canada will move east, passing north of North Dakota during Friday. This low will help drag the stationary front eastward as a warm front, and also push a weak trough eastward through the region overnight, allowing milder air from the west to filter into the area. Lots of clouds accompany this trough, so tonight will be mostly cloudy and not as cold with lows in the 20’s with a light breeze.

By Thursday, milder air will be working in and highs both tomorrow and Friday will reach the 50’s to near 60 in nearly all of Greater Nebraska with partly to mostly sunny skies. It will be a bit breezy tomorrow, but a nice day nevertheless.
Thursday night will be mostly clear with lows near 20.

But Friday night, an arctic front will move through the area, and could produce some light mixed precipitation early before it changes over to light snow as much colder air sweep in on gusty northerly winds. Lows will fall into the teens.

Then Saturday, a potent storm will be taking shape to our south and east that will be moving eastward to the Ohio Valley and intensifying. While this storm should not produce much snow here, it will cause gusty winds to continue on Saturday that will drill in Arctic air as it acts in concert with arctic high pressure dropping southward from Canada. Highs Saturday may remain steady or even slowly fall, and likely will not get out of the 20’s, and even teens in some northern areas. Winds may gust out of the north to 40mph, causing very low wind chills.

By Saturday night, lows will fall into the single digits and low teens, and may approach the zero mark in some northern areas with blustery conditions.

Sunday will be less windy with some sunshine, but highs will remain mainly in the 20’s.

Then another warm-up is expected to begin early next week.

Stay tuned to News 2 for the latest on the weekend cold and potential for some wintry precipitation.

Mike

Another Mild Spell Before A Much Colder Weekend

After this morning’s bout with freezing rain in some areas, we have some milder weather to look forward to through Friday.

A frontal system basically over Greater Nebraska will move little during Wednesday. While the front will not cause any more precipitation, high temperatures east of the front will remain in the 20’s and 30’s over eastern Nebraska, while temperatures in the 40’s to near 50 can be expected over southwestern areas and the Panhandle.

But first, skies tonight will be mostly clear, but watch for some areas of fog late with lows in the teens.

After some morning fog, Wednesday afternoon will be partly to mostly sunny with highs in the 40’s to near 50.

As a clipper system moves to our north Thursday, it will drag the front east with it, so milder temperatures can be expected with highs from the upper 40’s to middle 50’s both Thursday and Friday with partly to mostly sunny skies, so a nice way to end the workweek.

But Friday night, another arctic front will be dropping southward across the Dakotas and Montana, and the front will move through overnight, and much colder air will filter in behind it on very gusty northerly winds. At the same time, upper-level energy will drop southeastward through the Plains, and a storm will develop to our south and east by Saturday. As this occurs, a mix of wintry precipitation is possible early Friday night before colder air changes and mix over to snow. Right now it appears that the bulk of any snow accumulation will occur to our east, but it is possible that some light accumulation could occur into Saturday.

Then Saturday will be quite windy and much colder as the arctic air rushes in, and temperatures may remain steady or even fall into the 20’s during the afternoon.

Saturday night and Sunday will be quite cold with lows in the single digits and teens, and highs in the 20’s, but with some sun.

Temperatures will then slowly moderate for the beginning of next week.

Stay tuned to News 2 for the latest on the possibility of snow this weekend.

Mike

Milder During Workweek, Then Colder Again This Weekend

This week’s weather will be very much like last week where we turned milder as the week progressed, then colder for the weekend.

As an upper disturbance passes by to our southwest overnight into Tuesday morning, we could see a few snow showers and flurries, especially over the Panhandle and southwestern parts of our viewing area, where there could even be a coating of snow, as lows drop into the teens with mostly cloudy skies.

Tuesday will be a decent day for December with a mixture of sun and clouds expected, and highs getting into the 40’s in most areas with light winds.

As the upper-level pattern flattens and becomes more west-east oriented, we will see temperatures moderate through the workweek with mostly sunny skies and highs from the 40’s to near 50 Wednesday, then into the 50’s to perhaps near 60 Thursday and Friday. Lows in the teens Wednesday morning will warm some into the 20’s for Thursday and Friday.

Then as an arctic front approaches Friday night, there could be some snow showers, which could continue into Saturday as much colder air once again enters Greater Nebraska. Highs over the weekend will stay generally in the 20’s and 30’s, with lows falling back into the single digits and teens.

Mike

Arctic Front Ends Our Brief Fling With Spring

Spring-like highs in the 60’s reached as far north as Thedford today, with Imperial reaching a balmy 67 and North Platte getting to 64 before an arctic front moved through this afternoon and temperatures began to fall. In addition, a gusty northerly breeze up and over 30mph also begin to add a chill to the air, and this will continue overnight as lows drop to near 20 with mostly cloudy skies.

Saturday will be a much colder day as an arctic high sinks southeastward into North Dakota and continues to drill colder air into the region, and with lots of clouds and winds that could gust to 25mph, it will feel even colder. There could even be a snow flurry very late in the day, especially over southwestern parts of Greater Nebraska.

But as a disturbance drops southeastward into western Nebraska Saturday night and Sunday, some snow showers could develop, mainly over southwestern areas from about Lexington to North Platte to Oshkosh. There could even be some light accumulations of an inch or so as lows drop into the teens, so some possible slippery conditions might develop so please stay tunes to later forecasts.

The snow showers and flurries could continue into at least the morning hours on Sunday, but skies should remain mostly cloudy with highs only reaching the upper 20 to low 30’s in most areas.

We should see more sunshine early next week, but temperatures will remain mainly in the chilly 30’s for highs, with lows falling as low as the single digits in some areas. But as the arctic high moves to the south and east and away from Greater Nebraska, a southerly flow should allow temperatures to moderate into the 40’s for the middle to latter part of next week, along with sunshine.

More colder air may be waiting in the wings for next weekend, but right now no truly frigid temperatures are in sight.

Enjoy the weekend!

Mike

Quite Mild On Friday, But Then Much Colder For The Weekend

Highs once again today got into the 40’s north and 50’s southwest, which was higher than I anticipated yesterday when I forecasted 30’s north and 40’s to near 50 southwest. A cold front I had expected to move through the area this morning just did not have enough push to get through Greater Nebraska, and became stalled over northeastern Nebraska instead. But I don’t believe there were many complaints about the milder temperatures.

This evening will be nice for the Courthouse Lighting with partly to mostly cloudy skies and temperatures around 40 at about 6pm, falling into the 30’s this evening, then down into the 20’s during the overnight.

Then Friday will be the mildest day in this string we’ve enjoyed since Wednesday, with highs from the 40’s north to near or over 60 southwest. I am expecting lots of clouds, but if we get more sunshine during the afternoon highs in several areas could approach 60. But that will be the end of the mild weather for a while.

An arctic cold front will cross the region during Friday afternoon from north to south, and this will begin to usher in much colder air that is lurking just to our north over the Dakotas, where highs stayed in the single digits and teens over North Dakota today. The arctic intrusion may be accompanied by a few flurries Friday night and Saturday as lows bottom out in the teens north and 20’s south Friday night, and rise only into the 20’s north and low 30’s south on Saturday.

By Saturday night, the cold will be well entrenched across the area as a strong arctic high drops into the Dakotas, and as an upper disturbance drops southeastward across Greater Nebraska it will likely set off snow showers, and there could be some accumulation during Saturday night and Sunday, so stay tuned to later forecasts for updates, especially if you have travel plans during the weekend. Lows Saturday night will be in the teens and highs Sunday will remain in the 20’s to some low 30’s.

Monday will continue to be cold with perhaps a few flurries as highs struggle to get into the 30’s. Then as the arctic highs begins to shift eastward, temperatures will begin to slowly moderate Tuesday through Thursday, with highs reaching into the 40’s by Thursday. We may see another shot of cold air sometime next weekend, but more on that next week.

So enjoy the mild temperatures Friday, and if you need to do any outside decorating, Friday will be a good day to take care of this since the weekend will be much colder.

Mike

After A Mild Day Today, Watch For Some Light Wintry Precipitation Overnight

It’s amazing what a downsloping wind off the Rocky Mountains can do to raise temperatures from very cold levels. This morning started out with temperatures as low as -2 in Valentine to the single digits and lower teens elsewhere. However, while northern and eastern parts of the viewing area stayed in the 40’s, southwestern areas made it into the 50’s, with Imperial reaching 55, so much milder than I thought it would be today when I predicted highs in the 40’s everywhere.

A weak disturbance over eastern Montana moving southeast along a front extending from Montana to northeastern Nebraska will reach southeastern Nebraska tomorrow morning and northeastern Missouri tomorrow afternoon. This disturbance will help drag a cold front through Greater Nebraska during tomorrow morning, which will then stall just to our south and west. This disturbance is producing some spotty very light precipitation from South Dakota to northeastern Colorado, and as the disturbance drifts southeastward tonight, it may produce some light showers of rain early tonight, and then a light wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow later tonight as temperatures drop to near 20 under mostly cloudy skies.

With the front to our south tomorrow, highs will be cooler than today reaching only the 30’s north to perhaps 50 southwest under partly sunny skies, so a nice day overall.

Then a stronger disturbance will move from Montana into Wyoming, then into South Dakota by Friday morning, and this will drag the front back northward as a warm front so that Friday should turn out milder again with highs from the 40’s north and east to the 50’s southwest with some sunshine.

But as the disturbance moves into northeastern Nebraska Friday evening, it will drag an arctic front through Greater Nebraska by Friday night. This will help usher in much colder air once again so that highs this weekend stay mainly in the 30’s. In addition, a series of weak upper disturbance will be passing nearby, and each of these may set off some snow showers and flurries anytime from Saturday through Monday, but nothing significant is expected at this time. Highs early next week will remain on the cold side before moderating a bit for the middle of next week.

So watch for the potential for a few slick spots overnight where any precipitation falls, since even very light frozen precipitation can cause roads and sidewalks to become slippery.

Mike

December To Turn Milder - For Now

Today was still brisk and cool, but at least we didn’t have to contend with the snow and very high winds of yesterday.

Tonight will be mostly clear and quite cold with lows in the single digits and low teens, but a near calm wind will not make it feel too brutal.

Then Wednesday begins a fair and more seasonable weather pattern with partly to mostly sunny skies through Friday, with highs near or just over 40 Wednesday and Thursday, and almost mild Friday with highs near 50. Lows at night will fall into the upper teens to lower 20’s.

But arctic air will begin to drain south Friday night into the weekend and beyond as a cold front slides through Greater Nebraska. Highs over the weekend and Monday will probably stay in the 30’s, with 20’s possible for Monday. As a disturbance approaches later this weekend, it may set off some snow showers Sunday into Monday, especially across northern parts of the viewing area, but right now nothing significant is expected. Fair and chilly weather should then return for Tuesday.

Mike

Fair Through Monday But Then The Fun Begins

A cold front moved through Greater Nebraska overnight, and northerly winds behind it helped hold highs in the 30’s and 40’s with lots of clouds.

Skies tonight will be mainly cloudy with lows near 20 with light easterly winds.

Saturday will be even cooler than today, especially over southern areas where highs should not get much above the middle 30’s, along with lots of clouds.

There could be some freezing drizzle in a few spots during overnight Saturday into Sunday morning, so watch for the potential for slick spots to develop.

But as impulses of low pressure move eastward along this front, it should waver back north of at least the southern part of the viewing area from Sunday into Monday, but the exact position of this front will dictate temperature forecasts through Monday. There may be a wide variation in highs where places like Imperial may reach near 50, while places like Valentine only reach into the 30’s. Skies both days will be mostly sunny.

Then Tuesday is when the fun begins. An arctic front with bitterly cold air behind it will begin to filter into the area as the front moves southward through Greater Nebraska. This air will be very cold to our north with parts of Montana staying below zero for highs early next week, and lows dropping as low as the minus twenties. As the front pushes through during Tuesday, highs may be reached early but then fall during the afternoon as the cold air pushes in. In addition, there will probably be at least some snow with and behind the front Later Tuesday into Wednesday. However, there are indications that a storm could develop over Colorado Tuesday and begin to intensify and move to our south over Kansas Tuesday night and Wednesday. If this occurs, an accumulating snow, with windy conditions, falling temperatures and blowing and drifting could create dangerous travel during the big travel time for the Thanksgiving holiday. So please stay tuned to KNOP-TV for the latest weather forecasts through the weekend into early next week.

Regardless of the snow, temperatures on Wednesday are likely to stay in the teens and perhaps low 20’s for highs, with lows in the single digits to perhaps below zero in some places.

Thanksgiving morning may be the coldest morning with lows near or below zero in most places, but highs should recover a bit into the 20’s to perhaps lower 30’s with sunshine.

Then Black Friday shoppers can look forward to sunny and milder conditions with highs approaching 40.

Since I will be travelling next week, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy, safe, and blessed Thanksgiving. Enjoy!!!!!

Mike

Cooler But Seasonable Until Monday, But Then........

A southerly breeze and sunshine helped boost highs today into the 50’s, and even the lower 60’s around Imperial. However, winds gusting up and over 25mph at times made it feel cooler.

A cold front will move through Greater Nebraska overnight, but it will come through dry and the only effect will be to shift the winds from southerly to a more northerly direction. Skies will be partly cloudy and lows will bottom our in the 20’s.

These northerly winds will allow some cooler air to our north to arrive for Friday, so highs will generally be in the 40’s with mostly sunny skies and a light breeze.
Cooler air will continue to filter in Friday night into Saturday with lows in the teens and highs in the 30’s.

But a warm front will move through the area by Sunday, and a milder southerly wind flow will raise highs into the 40’s, and perhaps near or over 50 in a few places.
However, during the weekend some bitterly cold arctic air will be situated over Montana and North Dakota with highs only reaching the single digits and teens, and lows at or below zero, especially over northern parts of these states. This very cold air is expected to stay in that general area through the weekend as areas of low pressure moving eastward across the Northern Rockies help keep that air bottled up to our north. But by Monday, a reinforcing shot of even colder air will move out of Western Canada into the Northern Rockies and Plains during Sunday, with highs staying below zero and lows perhaps falling to -20 over Montana Sunday night.

The arctic front associated with this bitterly cold air will move through Greater Nebraska during the day on Monday. Highs on Monday should still get into the 30’s and 40’s. But by Tuesday and Wednesday, highs should only be able to reach the single digits to the 20’s and 30’s from north to south, with lows ranging from below zero to perhaps in the single digits from north to south across the region, with Wednesday and Thanksgiving Day looking like the coldest period right not.

In addition, this cold air could be accompanied by some snow, which could cause some travel difficulties just in time for the Holiday, so please stay abreast of later forecast since there are some uncertainties regarding when and how much cold air will arrive in Greater Nebraska.

Mike

A Milder Thursday Before A Cooldown Into The Weekend And Beyond

Last night’s rain changed to a bit of snow, especially in areas west of North Platte and a few areas had some whitening of grassy areas. Otherwise, no major problems were reported. Now we can look forward to some milder weather Thursday before we cool down again by the weekend.

A ridge of high pressure extending from central Canada southward into the Southern Plains will control our weather through Thursday. However, as a potent area of low pressure just to the north of Washington State drop east-southward and into northwestern North Dakota by Thursday evening, it will act in concert with the high-pressure ridge, and a trough to the lee of the Rockies to produce a gusty southerly flow of milder air into Greater Nebraska. After a partly cloudy and cold night tonight with lows near 20, Thursday will be mostly sunny with highs in the 50’s. A southerly breeze will gust up and over 25mph at times.

The low over North Dakota will continue to move eastward, reaching extreme northern Minnesota Friday morning. This low will drag a cold front through the region overnight Thursday night into Friday morning, and as high pressure over southern Canada exerts more influence, temperatures will begin to cool down with highs remaining in the 40’s with sunny skies.

Temperatures will continue to cool during the weekend with highs falling to the upper 30’s to lower 40’s, with perhaps colder highs over northern parts of the viewing area.

Early next week, some very cold air will be situated over the Northern Rockies and Plains with highs in the single digits and teens, and lows near or below zero. As the arctic boundary begins to shift southward across the region in the Monday/Tuesday timeframe, we can expect temperatures to tumble, with highs by Wednesday staying in the teens and 20’s and lows from near zero to the lower teens. Some snow is also possible as waves of low pressure ride along the boundary.

It appears Thanksgiving day will be quite cold also, but we will update the forecast as we get closer to the holiday.

Mike

Some Wintry Weather Overnight, Then Changeable Through the Weekend

An Alberta Clipper will bring a round of wintry weather to Greater Nebraska overnight into Wednesday morning, along with windy conditions.

As of 4pm CST, the Clipper was located over northeastern Wyoming and is dropping quickly southeastward, and will be over northeastern Colorado later this evening, then move east-southeastward across Kansas Thursday before reaching southern Missouri Thursday evening. Yesterday, I thought that this system would pass right over Greater Nebraska, which would cause the heaviest precipitation on the order of a quarter inch or so to fall over our northern zones such as Valentine. However, the track has shifted southward so the heaviest precipitation will likely fall across our central and southern zones. However, all areas will see some rain and snow, with the possibility of some accumulation just about anywhere, especially on grassy surfaces.

Rain that is falling across Greater Nebraska now will continue into the overnight, but as colder air moves in later a changeover to snow will occur, first over areas in the Panhandle around or just before midnight, then progressing eastward after midnight. As temperatures fall into the 20’s, the snow will begin to accumulate some especially on grassy areas, and some roads, and especially bridges and overpasses could become slick by morning. Accumulations should range from very little over our extreme northern areas, to perhaps an inch or two over the remainder of the region, with maybe a localized higher amount in Garden and Deuel Counties. Again, most of this will be on grassy surfaces, but watch for some slick roads late. It will also become quite windy overnight with northerly winds gusting up and over 30mph, so there could be some blowing snow especially across the Sandhills.

There could be some lingering snow showers tomorrow morning along with some slick spots, but skies should turn partly sunny by afternoon with highs approaching 40. Winds will continue quite gusty but begin to diminish later in the afternoon.

Then Thursday will turn breezy again but milder conditions will return with highs well into the 50’s with plenty of sun.

A cold front will then move through the region probably dry Thursday night, and Friday and the weekend will be fair with cooler highs in the 40’s.

But some very cold arctic air will be situated over the Northern Rockies and Plains, and exactly where the arctic boundary sets up will have a major impact on our weather, especially Sunday and Monday. If the boundary shifts south across the region, highs in the 20’s and lows in the single digits to near zero would be the rule, with perhaps some snow. However, right now it looks like this boundary will stay just to our north, but this could change so stay tuned. Regardless, it appear that the boundary will most likely move south of Greater Nebraska by Tuesday, bringing much colder temperatures and perhaps some snow just in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Mike

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

Your Weekend, And A Look Ahead To Next Week And Beyond

The weather system that affected us yesterday and last night would not release its grip, and today ended up being cloudy, with even a few snow and rain showers being reported, so a damp, cool day for sure. But the system is beginning to move eastward and clouds are now beginning to break over Greater Nebraska as high pressure takes hold.

So expect some clearing tonight, but along with the clearing some patchy fog may form so use caution later tonight. Lows will drop into the 20’s.

After some morning fog, Saturday should turn partly sunny and a bit breezy with highs in the 40’s. Sunday’s weather should be similar but perhaps a bit less breezy.
Overnight Saturday night should be mainly clear with lows in the teens.

Early next week, a series of fronts and disturbances will move through the region, perhaps producing a few rain and snow showers Monday through Wednesday. Highs should be in the 40’s and 50’s, perhaps dropping into the 30’s for Wednesday as a shot of colder air moves in.

Then fair skies with highs around 50 are expected later next week.

There are signs that some very frigid air building over the northern territories of Canada, and over Siberia, will begin to expand and move into Alaska and southward into western Canada. While it is not know exactly how this cold air will affect Greater Nebraska during Thanksgiving Week, it appears at least some of it will drop into the area to turn us colder, and if more of it is aimed for the Central Plains it could turn very cold here right around Thanksgiving. Stay tuned to KNOP News 2 and we will keep you posted.

Enjoy the weekend!

Mike

Rain And A Bit Of Snow Tonight - Watch For Icy Spots

Today was a cloudy and cool day with some intermittent light snow and rain over many areas, which began to evolve into a rainy afternoon as highs climbed into the upper 30’s to middle 40’s. However, western portions of the Nebraska Panhandle received a substantial snowfall in a few areas, with Kimball reporting 8 ½ inches around mid-afternoon.

The rain will continue through the evening, but begin to mix with and probably change to a bit of snow before ending from west to east during the overnight as lows drop into the 20’s. No significant accumulations are expected and roads should be mostly wet, though some icy spots could develop especially on exposed surfaces such as bridges and overpasses. Also, grassy areas could whiten, and it is not out of the question that a few areas pick up about an inch of snow.

By tomorrow morning, the precipitation will be gone, but some icy spots may remain until temperatures warm above the freezing mark. Friday overall will be partly sunny with highs in the 40’s with a light wind.

The weekend is looking fair and seasonable with highs mainly in the 40’s with partly to mostly sunny skies.

The fair weather will continue into the beginning of next week.

Mike

A Wintry Veterans Day Shaping Up

Our first true taste of Old Man Winter will greet us for Veterans Day Thursday.

Today began with a few rain and snow showers over parts of Greater Nebraska early this morning, but then skies cleared and highs stayed in the seasonable upper 40’s to lower 50’s.

An area of low pressure over New Mexico is waiting for some upper-level energy rounding the corner from the Pacific Northwest now to the Desert Southwest tomorrow. This energy will help strengthen the low, and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will stream into the Southern and Central Plains. At the same time, colder air is filtering into Greater Nebraska from the north. All this is setting the stage for a round of wintry weather beginning very late tonight and not ending until sunrise Friday.

So expect increasing clouds tonight, with the risk of light snow developing west, especially the Panhandle, with lows in the 20’s.

As the low strengthens a bit and moves slowly into Kansas during the day Thursday, light snow, or a mix of snow and rain will develop across most of the region during tomorrow morning. During the afternoon, areas over the Panhandle into the northwestern Sandhills can expect mostly snow, while most other areas can expect a mix or even a change to rain as highs reach from the mid 30’s north and west to the low 40’s south and east. Areas that remain mostly snow could see some light accumulations, especially on grassy surfaces.

However, after sunset tomorrow all areas should change over to mostly snow as temperatures drop toward and below the freezing mark, and this snow should continue through at least the first half of the night as lows continue to fall into the 20’s. It is at this time that most areas could see a bit of accumulation, but more importantly, some slick travel could develop, especially on bridges and overpasses, so tune in later tonight and especially tomorrow for updates. Accumulations by the time the snow ends around sunrise Friday may be two or three inches across the Panhandle and northern Sandhills, to maybe an inch over areas like North Platte and Broken Bow.

However, the storm has shown some signs of slowing down a bit, and if more slowing occurs more snow could fall, so again stay tuned for later updates.

Regardless, Friday afternoon into the weekend should be fair with seasonable highs in the 40’s.

Mike

Our Change To Some True Fall Weather Has Begun

Our change to weather more typical of the middle of fall has begun as a cold front has pushed through Greater Nebraska, and temperatures have already begun to drop from their highs this afternoon in the 50’s and 60’s.

A wave of low pressure on the front over southeastern Colorado will move northeastward overnight, reaching southeastern Nebraska tomorrow morning. This low will bring some moisture to the area in the form of rain showers early tonight, but as temperatures fall any rain should mix with and even change over to snow showers as lows fall through the 30’s. No significant accumulation or travel problems are anticipated since precipitation should be light, and warm ground temperatures should melt most of any snow, but some bridges and overpasses could slicken up overnight so be careful.

Any snow showers or mix tomorrow morning should change to either rain showers over southern areas, or a mix north with highs in the 40’s. During the afternoon, we may see some sunshine especially over southwestern areas as the area of low pressure moves into the Dakotas.

Then our attention will turn to a new storm that will develop over Colorado and New Mexico tomorrow night into Thursday, then move eastward through Kansas during Thursday and into Missouri Thursday night. This storm will have a bit more moisture to work with so we can expect snow or a mix to redevelop early Thursday morning across western areas, then spread eastward into all areas Thursday morning. As temperatures rise to the middle 30’s to near 40, a mix or even rain is expected, but even areas that see any snow should not see significant accumulations since ground temperatures will still be relatively warm during the day.

However, if the precipitation continues Thursday evening and night, temperatures falling well down into the 20’s would allow any snow to perhaps cause some light accumulations, and even roads could become slick, especially over the Panhandle and Sandhills. There are still questions about how strong this storm will be and how fast it will move, so stay tuned to later forecasts that will fine tune any details.

Regardless, precipitation will end by Friday, and we can expect fair and seasonable weather Friday through the weekend with highs mainly in the 40’s.

Mike

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

Outstanding Fall Weather Through Monday, Then Major Changes Next Week

We have enjoyed a mild fall thus far with temperatures well above average across Greater Nebraska, and this weekend into Monday will be incredibly mild to even warm with sunshine and highs in the 70’s, and possibly approaching 80 in spots. Please get out and enjoy because major changes in the weather pattern are on the way during next week.

A ridge of high pressure extending from the Great Lakes southward to Texas is in control of our weather, and will remain in control through Monday. This high will ensure lots of sunshine, light southerly winds, and highs in the mild 70’s through Monday, and perhaps well into the 70’s to near 80 in a couple of spots Saturday and Sunday. It is not out of the question that a couple of record highs could be challenged, especially at Valentine where the record for Saturday is 78, and the expected high is in the mid to upper 70’s.

Nights will be clear and cold with lows in the 20’s tonight, and near 30 Saturday and Sunday night.

By Monday, great weather will continue with sunshine and highs still in the 70’s. But that is where the beautiful weather will end.

A cold front approaching from the north and west will move through the region Monday night and Tuesday, with more in the way of clouds and the risk of a few showers. Highs Tuesday will be much cooler in the 50’s.

Then colder air will filter in Tuesday night into Wednesday, and any rain showers could change to snow showers before ending Wednesday morning. Highs Wednesday will be mainly in the 40’s.

The wild card will be the possibility that a storm could develop over the Texas Panhandle Wednesday night, and begin to move northeastward, reaching Iowa Friday morning. If this occurs, with colder air continuing to press in there could be some rain changing to snow during the day Thursday into Thursday night, then ending Friday morning.

This scenario is just a possibility right now, but one thing for certain is that temperatures will fall into the 30’s and 40’s for highs by late week, and it appears that this change to colder weather will last for a while, with no return to mild conditions expected.

So enjoy the weather this weekend into Monday since we may not see weather this nice until next Spring.

Mike

Quite Cold Tonight, But Quite Mild This Weekend

Although sunny skies and seasonable temperatures in the 50’s dominated Greater Nebraska today, it felt chilly due to a northerly breeze, and the fact that we have been spoiled by a generally mild fall thus far. And we have a very mild to almost warm weekend coming up before what looks like major changes in the weather pattern bring in some true fall-like weather next week.

High pressure over North Dakota will slide southward tonight and be located just about right over Greater Nebraska overnight, before sliding south and eastward into the Ohio/Tennessee Valley Saturday evening. With the high right over us tonight, clear skies, dry air, and near calm winds will allow lows to fall to their coldest levels of the season so far with lows well into the teens by sunrise Friday.

But a southerly flow developing around the high as it moves to our east Friday will allow highs during the afternoon to recover to near 60, so a bit milder than today.
Friday night will be clear and still chilly with lows in the 20’s.

Then the weekend will be spectacular for the first weekend of November with sunshine and light southerly winds boosting highs into the 70’s both days, and it’s not out of the question that some highs could approach the 80 degree mark, which would be approaching record highs which are in the upper 70’s to low 80’s. So make plans to be outside for what will likely be the mildest weather until next Spring.

Monday will still be beautiful with sunshine and highs again in the 70’s.
But then a cold front dropping southeastward from the Pacific Northwest will bring the chance of showers as it moves through the area Tuesday, along with much cooler highs in the 50’s.

By the middle of next week, the forecast is a bit complicated since there could be waves of low pressure that develops on the front that will be moving slowly to our east at that time, and this could cause additional rain showers, and perhaps even mixed rain and snow as highs stay mainly in the 40’s. This much cooler weather looks like it may stick around for a while when it gets here, but after all it is the middle of fall.

So get ready for some big weather changes from this weekend into next week.

Mike

Cooler Now, But Unseasonably Mild For The Weekend

A cold front brought an end to our mild weather today, but the change will be brief as it will turn unseasonably mild for the time of the year once again by the weekend.

Gusty northwest winds around strong high pressure over eastern Montana have brought cooler air into Greater Nebraska, and highs today were about 10 degrees cooler than yesterday, topping out in the upper 50’s to lower 60’s.

However, as winds slacken tonight, lows will fall quickly under clear skies to quite cold levels in the upper teens to lower 20’s, so likely the coldest night we’ve seen thus far this season.

Thursday will be sunny, and highs will generally be in the 50’s with a light afternoon breeze, so not a bad day but a jacket will be needed.

Thursday night may actually be colder than tonight as the high will be practically over the region, and under clear skies and near calm winds lows will fall into the teens in just about all areas.

Friday will be fair, and highs will recover into the lower 60’s.

By Saturday, the high will be to our east and south, and a southerly flow of much milder air will take over once again. Under sunny skies, highs will approach and exceed the 70 degree mark in many areas. Sunday will be similar weather-wise, so just a beautiful mid-fall weekend shaping up, and likely the nicest that we’ll see until next Spring.

The nice weather should continue into Monday, but another cold front will move through Monday night and Tuesday, possibly producing a few showers. Temperatures will cool significantly again by midweek with highs in the 40’s and 50’s.

Mike

Cooler Through Friday, But Milder Again For The Weekend

Election Day 2010 was outstanding weather-wise with blue sunny skies and highs in the upper 60’s and lower 70’s, or about 10 to 15 degrees above seasonal averages. The mild weather will end overnight to be replaced by cooler temperatures the next few days, but will return in earnest over the weekend.

Highs pressure situated over the Intermountain Region provided today’s spectacular fall weather, but a cold front now entering Montana and North Dakota from Canada will quickly press southward through Greater Nebraska overnight, and be through the region by tomorrow morning. The front will produce some cloudiness, but should come through the region dry. Winds will switch to a northwesterly direction behind the front but remain light overnight. Lows will drop into the lower to middle 30’s.

Then potent high pressure dropping southeastward out of southwest Canada will take control of our weather tomorrow, and while skies will be sunny, a gusty northwesterly breeze up and over 30mph during the afternoon will usher in cooler Canadian air and highs should only reach the upper 50’s to lower 60’s.

As the high continues to press eastward, Wednesday night will be clear and quite cold with lows in the teens to lower 20’s with light winds.

Then Thursday will be sunny but cool with highs only reaching the lower to middle 50’s. However, these highs are about average for the time of year, but it will feel cooler since we’ve become so accustomed to milder temperatures this fall.

Thursday night will be another cold night with lows in the teens to lower 20’s.

Then Friday will be fair with highs in the upper 50’s to lower 60’s.
By the time we get to the weekend, the high will reside to our east, and a southerly flow of milder air will return. Sunshine and the southerly flow will boost highs into the lower 70’s over many areas Saturday and Sunday, and with light winds it will be delightful to be outdoors.

The mild weather will continue into Monday, but another cold front will approach Monday night and Tuesday, presenting the chance of showers and much cooler temperatures once again. In fact, it may turn quite cool mid to late next week if some of the latest information is correct as some colder Canadian air could be tapped and moved southward into the Plains. Well it is November, so if that occurs, it would be about time that colder air finally made inroads into Greater Nebraska. Stay tuned to later forecasts for this possibility.

Mike

An Outstanding Election Day Weather-Wise Expected

Today was relatively pleasant with partly to mostly sunny skies during the afternoon and highs in the upper 50’s to lower 60’s, and the weather for Election Day tomorrow will be nothing short of outstanding.

Tonight will be mostly clear and chilly by morning with lows in the upper 20’s to low 30’s with near calm winds.

High pressure over the Great Lakes, in concert with another high over southwestern Wyoming will control our weather through the day Tuesday, and light westerly winds will bring mild highs of near 70 to most areas with plenty of sun, so there will be no weather problems going to the polls.

But a dry cold front will move through Tuesday night, and a wind shift to the north will occur under mostly clear skies. Lows will drop to near 30.

By Wednesday, high pressure dropping out of southwestern Canada will cause breezy conditions, and highs will stay near 60. This same high will control the weather through the end of the week, bringing cooler highs in the 50’s but still with plenty of sun.

But by Saturday, this high will shift to the south and east of Greater Nebraska, and southerly winds will once again bring milder temperatures with highs approaching 70 again with sunshine, so a beautiful fall weekend looks to be in storm.

Looking ahead, there are still no signs of any really cold air and certainly no snow, but now that we are into November, we can expect to see some temperatures that are more winterlike by the end of the month. In addition, this is the month we typically see our first snow, and if and when that materializes we will certainly keep you posted.

Mike

No Ghastly Weather Expected This Halloween Weekend

What a beautiful day over Greater Nebraska! Today’s highs approached 80, with Thedford warmest at 79 and Valentine at 78. Highs over the remainder of the viewing area ranged from 69 at Broken Bow to 74 at North Platte and 75 at Imperial.

Tonight will feature mostly clear skies, and lows will fall to near 30 with light winds.

Saturday will still be a pleasant, sunny day, but not as mild as today. A weak cool front will cross the area during the day, turning winds to the north and allowing some cooler air to filter in, and highs tomorrow will be anywhere from 5 to 15 degrees cooler. Northern areas that were near 80 today can expect highs in the low 60’s, while southern areas can expect highs in the mid to upper 60’s.

By Saturday night, a disturbance currently affecting the California Coast will quickly move eastward during Saturday. Skies will turn partly cloudy Saturday night, and a few light showers cloud develop as lows drop into the 30’s.

Halloween Sunday will be partly sunny with perhaps a few morning showers, but any showers should move out of the area during the afternoon as highs stay in the cooler 50’s. By trick or treat time Sunday evening, fair conditions should prevail with temperatures falling from the 50’s into the 40’s after sunset, so no ghastly weather is anticipated, though some ghouls and goblins may appear!

Next week should be fair and seasonable with temperatures in the 50’s and 60’s by day and 20’s and 30’s by night. No really cold air is in sight.
Enjoy the Halloween weekend, but please be safe.

Mike

Beautiful Fall Weather For The Next Couple Of Days

The strong storm that caused the intense winds Tuesday and Wednesday is not located over Hudson Bay in Canada, and the weather in Greater Nebraska is being governed by a ridge of high pressure extending from South Dakota into Texas. This ridge should govern our weather into the day Saturday before a cool front brings some cooler air into the region for Halloween Sunday.

For tonight, clear skies and light winds will allow lows to drop well into the 20’s, so expect a cold night especially toward morning.

Friday will start chilly, but the ridge will move southeastward during the next couple of days, and a southerly slow around it will allow highs to reach the middle 60’s north to lower 70’s south Friday with lots of sunshine and light winds, so a beautiful fall day is expected.

During Saturday, a weak cool front will cross the region, but no precipitation is expected. However, highs may be off a few degrees from Friday’s highs, especially across northern areas where highs may not get much above the lower 60’s. But southern areas should get close to 70 once again, so still a pleasant day for the end of October.

Halloween Sunday will be cooler everywhere with partly to mostly sunny skies and highs from the upper 50’s to lower 60’s. There could be a couple of showers Saturday night into Sunday morning as an area of low pressure develops to our southeast, and an upper-level system crosses the area. But Halloween evening should be fair with temperatures during trick or treat time in the 40’s with fair skies.

Still no very cold weather is foreseen for the next week.

Mike

Winds Will Diminish Tonight, Then Pleasant Into Weekend

There is no doubt today was a very windy day! Wind gusts of 61 mph were reported at Big Springs in Deuel County, and many areas reported winds gusting in excess of 50mph. In addition, snow showers were reported in Valentine this afternoon, so certainly it was a day to remind us that winter is getting closer. Highs were generally in the 40’s, just touching 50 in North Platte, but held mostly in the 30’s in Valentine.

The massive storm that caused the winds is now over Ontario, Canada and is slowly weakening and moving northeastward toward Hudson Bay. Yesterday, the storm broke all-time low pressure records in Minnesota and Wisconsin, with the lowest (29.21 inches) occurring in Bigfork, MN in extreme northern Minnesota. The storm also produced severe weather yesterday and today from the Great Lakes southward to the Ohio Valley eastward to the Mid-Atlantic, where tornadoes caused at least a couple of injuries, and damage to property. Blizzard conditions raged over North Dakota where a half-foot or more of snow was accompanied by winds gusting upward to 70mph. But the strong winds were widespread from the Northern/Central Plains eastward through the Great Lakes to Ohio Valley.

Across Greater Nebraska, tonight will come mostly clear later, and the wind will diminish late with cold lows in the 20’s.

Then a pleasant stretch of weather will start Thursday with mostly sunny skies, light winds and highs near 60.

Friday and Saturday will be sunny and very pleasant with highs near 70, though nights will be clear and chilly with lows in the 20’s and low 30’s.

Halloween Sunday is looking fair and breezy at this point with sunshine and highs in the 60’s. However, a developing low to our east will be watched to see if it will throw any moisture back into Greater Nebraska. Even if that occurs, any precipitation should be quite light.

Mike

Intense Minnesota Storm Still Producing Strong Winds

Today was certainly a two-hand on the steering wheel day as strong winds gusting up and over 50mph in many places made for a very blustery day outside. And these winds will not diminish until later tomorrow night.

An extremely intense area of low pressure located over extreme northern Minnesota has become so strong that it has broken Minnesota’s record for the lowest barometric pressure ever. The lowest record was set in November 1998 at 28.43 inches, and as of 5pm CDT, the lowest I can find was in International Falls, MN which was standing at 28.25 inches, and the pressure could go lower still. This intense storm is producing a severe weather outbreak, with 14 tornadoes already having been reported from the central Great Lakes into the Ohio/Tennessee Valleys, and blizzard conditions over North Dakota with up to six inches or more of snow expected with winds gusting up and over 50mph. But the most widespread affects from the storm is the wind, and strong winds extend from the Northern/Central Great Plains eastward through the Great Lakes and southward to the Ohio Valley, where winds have been gusting from 40 to over 55mph. Because of the slow movement of the storm, these winds will continue through tomorrow, and winds over Greater Nebraska will once again top 40 to 50mph.

For tonight, expect partly cloudy skies, and the wind will slacken a bit later but gusts still should reach 30mph or more as lows drop into the 20’s and low 30’s.
Expect partly sunny and brisk conditions for Wednesday with highs only in the lower to middle 50’s. Winds during the afternoon will be quite strong, gusting to 55mph in places.

By Wednesday night, the Minnesota storm will begin to weaken and move northeastward in Canada, so winds will diminish during the night as lows drop into the 20’s under mostly clear skies.

Thursday will be a much more tranquil day with sunshine, light winds, and highs around 60.

Very pleasant weather is still expected Friday into the weekend with sunshine and highs in the upper 60’s to lower 70’s.

Mike

Get Ready Form Lots Of Wind

A cold front moving through the area caused the clouds, showers and cool temperatures today, and now we need to get ready for lots of wind.

Low pressure over South Dakota and another low over south-central Canada will begin to combine overnight and strengthen dramatically, and by morning the very strong low will be over northern Minnesota. During the day tomorrow, the low will continue to strengthen and pressure will be down to around 28.50 inches, certainly a very strong storm system. This low will produce very strong winds over the next couple of days from the Plains to the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes, with gusts of up to 55mph possible over northern parts of Greater Nebraska the next couple of days, so High Wind Warnings are in effect. Over southern areas, gusts over 40mph are possible so Wind Advisories are up.

So for tonight, expect any early showers to end this evening, then skies will remain mostly cloudy and it will become breezy to windy with lows in the 30’s, and winds gusting up and over 30mph, especially late.

Expect partly sunny and very windy conditions on Tuesday with highs in the 50’s, and winds gusting up and over 50mph at times over northern zones, and over 40mph across southern areas.

Windy conditions will continue Wednesday, but the winds will diminish Thursday with highs near 60. Friday and Saturday look sunny and pleasant with highs in the 60’s to near 70.

Mike

An Unsettled Start To The Weekend

The weekend weather will not start out very nice, but Sunday will be salvaged.

The upper-level low that has been on the weather map since last weekend is now located over Colorado, and it is slated to move slowly over Greater Nebraska tonight thorough the day Saturday. The low is already producing showers and a few thunderstorms over the region, and the activity will likely affect local sports events this evening, so please take some rain gear and keep an eye to the sky if you plan on being outside.

The risk of showers and storms will be with us through the overnight as activity rotates around the low, but the combination of clouds and higher humidity levels will only allow lows to fall into the 40’s.

Saturday will remain mostly cloudy, and as the low continues its slow drift across Nebraska, the threat of showers and possible a few storms will continue through the day. Highs will approach the 60 degree mark.

But by Sunday, the low will be far enough east so that skies will become partly sunny, and highs will rebound into the middle to upper 60’s, so not a bad day to end the weekend.

The nice weather will be short-lived as a cold front will approach from the northwest, raising the threat of showers once again with highs around 60. Then, another cold front will move through Tuesday night and Wednesday, and we can expect temperatures to cool down to below average behind it. The amount of cooling is still in debate, but certainly not mild weather is foreseen once we get past Sunday.
Enjoy the weekend, regardless of the weather.

Mike

Bye Bye Beautiful Weather

Today was the last truly beautiful fall day we will see for a while, so I hope you enjoyed this pleasant stretch.

The upper-level low that has been meandering across the Southwestern States is now located over Arizona and moving east-northeastward, and will begin to affect our weather Friday. Expect some increasing clouds tonight across southern parts of our viewing area, while northern areas remain mainly clear. Lows will be near 40 with light winds.

Friday will have a split character between north and south. Northern parts of Greater Nebraska will see sunshine for a while, and this will allow highs to reach the lower 70’s. However, southern portions will see mostly cloudy skies, and the risk of showers and thunderstorms will increase as the day wears on as highs only reach the middle 60’s.

By Friday evening, skies will by mostly cloudy everywhere as the upper low approaches, and scattered showers and storms will possibly cause some delays of local outdoor sports events, so please stay tuned to future forecasts.

Showers and perhaps a storm will continue Saturday as the upper low moves right on top of us. Skies will remain mostly cloudy and highs will stay in the lower 60’s.
Sunday should be fair and a bit milder as the low moves eastward with highs in the middle to upper 60’s. But by Monday, a cool front will approach with the risk of showers once again as highs remain in the 60’s.

But much cooler Canadian air will drop southward during the middle of next week, and highs by Wednesday will stay in the 40’s with breezy condtions.

Mike

One More Beautiful Day Thursday Before Changes Begin

Our beautiful October weather continues with highs today reaching the middle and even upper 70’s in a few areas, and we will enjoy one more day of similar weather before changes begin Friday.

A weak cool front will press southward through Greater Nebraska tonight, but it will come through dry. Skies will be clear with lows near 30 by sunrise.

Thursday will be another weather winner with sunshine, and perhaps a few clouds late in the day, but highs will once again reach the 70’s across the region with light winds.

But enjoy Thursday’s weather because the weather will slowly begin to change. An upper-level low that has been nearly stationary over the southern California coast has finally begun to slowly move eastward, and is not located on the border of southeastern California and southwestern Arizona. Showers and thunderstorms are occurring with this feature over the Desert Southwest, with some of the storms on the stronger side and heavy rainfall. This low is slated to move over Nebraska during the weekend, and as it approaches skies will turn increasingly cloudy overnight across southwestern Nebraska Thursday night, with perhaps a shower over far southwest Nebraska.

Then by Friday, skies should become mostly cloudy, except over northern areas where some sunshine will probably linger. Showers and thunderstorms are possible at just about any time over southern and western areas. Highs will cool into the 60’s, with perhaps northern areas holding onto the lower 70’s with more sunshine.

Friday night and Saturday, showers and thunderstorms are possible just about anywhere in the region, and the activity may affect outdoor sports events Friday evening, so please stay tuned to later forecasts.

By Sunday, the low should exit the region, leaving us with fair and seasonable conditions with highs in the 60’s.

Another stronger cold front will approach Monday with the chance of showers returning. Behind that front, temperatures will likely cool to below average levels with highs by midweek mainly in the 40’s and 50’s, and possibly colder if more Canadian air gets involved, so stay tuned.

Mike

Beautiful Fall Weather To Continue Through Thursday

October 2010’s overall pleasant streak of weather continued today with sunshine sending highs into the upper 60’s to lower 70’s across Greater Nebraska, and don’t expect much change in this beautiful weather pattern until Friday.

A dry northwesterly flow aloft will continue to produce spectacular weather for late October with highs ranging from 5 to 10 and perhaps more degrees above the average middle 60’s for this time of year.

Nights will be mainly clear and chilly, with lows tonight near 30 and Wednesday night near freezing.

But days will be very pleasant with sunshine both Wednesday and Thursday, with highs into the 70’s just about everywhere in the region tomorrow, and in the upper 60’s to lower 70’s Thursday.

An upper-level low that is cut-off from the main jet-stream flow is currently spinning off the southern California Coast. This feature is producing showers and thunderstorms over southern California, with some activity extending into southern Nevada and eastward into New Mexico. This low will gradually begin to move east-northeastward, and by Friday will be close enough to Greater Nebraska to raise the risk of showers and thunderstorms. The threat will then continue into Saturday as the upper-low moves right over the region. Expect mostly cloudy skies both Friday and Saturday, with highs staying mainly in the 60’s.

Near average temperatures will be with us Sunday and Monday, but a cold front is expected to cross the area on Monday, perhaps sparking a few showers. Behind the front, temperatures will cool perhaps to below average Tuesday, and some of the longer range information is trying to bring in a quite chilly airmass for the middle of next week. While I am not yet sold on that idea just yet, it appears that our streak of average to above average temperatures will end next week, at least temporarily, so enjoy this beautiful fall weather while it lasts.

Mike

Pleasant Weather Through Thursday, Then Unsettled Friday And Saturday

A stationary front extending from the Front Range southward into the Texas Panhandle, then northeastward through central Oklahoma and southeastern Kansas kept us mainly cloudy and cool today as moisture flowed up and over the front. Most of the cloudiness and precipitation is indeed north of the front and extends from Colorado and New Mexico eastward through the Southern Plains. The extreme southern portion of the Nebraska Panhandle and extreme southwestern Nebraska are the only places that have seen any light rain today, and extreme southwest Nebraska may continue to see a few showers as a band of moisture over northeastern Colorado eastward into southwest Nebraska pushes southward.

Later tonight, clouds will begin to clear a bit, but in general, expect partly cloudy skies, light winds, and chilly lows in the upper 20’s.

But as high pressure takes control of the weather the next days, dry, sunny, and pleasant conditions will prevail Tuesday through Thursday with highs in the upper 60’s Tuesday, and near or into the lower 70’s Wednesday and Thursday. A weak cool front will stall near or over Greater Nebraska late Wednesday, but no precipitation is expected due to a dry northerly flow aloft limiting moisture. But highs Thursday may be a couple degrees cooler than Wednesday but still around 70.

An upper-level low cut-off from the main jet-stream flow is spinning along the southern California coast, and this is producing showers and thunderstorms from southern California eastward into New Mexico, and northward into Nevada and Utah. This low will spin very slowly eastward, then northeastward during the week, and should be near or over Nebraska on Saturday. Showers and thunderstorms may overspread the region during Friday and continue during the day on Saturday before ending Sunday as the low moves eastward out of the area. While no heavy rain is currently anticipated, outdoor sports activities could be delayed or interrupted depending on the timing and coverage of the precipitation. Skies both Friday and Saturday will be mostly cloudy with highs reaching only the lower 60’s.

By Sunday and especially Monday, nicer weather will return with highs from the middle 60’s to lower 70’s. In general, an average to above average temperature regime, with near average precipitation looks to continue for the foreseeable future.

Mike