Widespread Freeze Wednesday Morning, Then Warmer Late Week

The stubborn upper-level low that has affected our weather since Friday night is over Kansas and is still influencing the weather in Greater Nebraska this evening. However, as it moves farther southeastward, and as a cold front currently to our northwest moves through by tomorrow afternoon, the weather will turn sunnier but cool, with a warm up expected later this week.

Bands of showers circulating around the upper-low are still affecting mainly our southeastern areas like Custer and Dawson Counties, though a few showers are also moving southward through Cherry County. After sunset this evening, the activity should begin to diminish and skies should be mostly clear overnight. However, as the cold front approaches from the northwest, a few more clouds will develop very late, along with the slight chance of another shower as it moves through. A gusty northwesterly breeze will also develop towards sunrise.

By Tuesday morning, the front will be crossing the area, and a slight risk of a shower will continue early before skies become partly sunny, and northerly winds gusting up and over 30mph will make highs in the lower to middle 60’s feel cooler.

By Tuesday night, cool high pressure will be centered very near or over the Nebraska Panhandle, and this will cause winds to diminish tomorrow evening. With clear skies and light winds, lows by sunrise Wednesday will drop below the freezing mark across much of the area, with some upper 20’s especially in the Platte River Valley, so a widespread freeze is likely which will end the growing season in most areas. Frost will also be widespread. This first freeze across most of the area will come about two weeks later than the average date, which is typically the end of September.

But by Thursday, the high will shift to our south and east, and southerly winds will bring milder temperatures once again. Highs will rise to the middle 70’s, and by Friday highs will approach or exceed the 80 degree mark, so well above average temperatures are likely once again by ten degrees or more.

The weekend will be a bit cooler as another front will be near the area, but skies should be mostly sunny and highs in the 70’s will make for a pleasant weekend. The next chance of showers will come on Monday as another front crosses the area.

Mike