Widespread Frost And Freezing Conditions Overnight, But Warmer By Thursday

The growing season will be coming to and end over nearly all of Greater Nebraska overnight as temperatures fall into the middle 20’s to lower 30’s, with widespread frost and a hard freeze in some areas.

The best chance for a hard freeze, i.e., lows in the 20’s for four or more hours, will be in the Platte River Valley, and in parts of the northern Sandhills and Panhandle Nebraska. Frost Advisories are in effect for the overnight for all of the viewing area with the exception of Lincoln, Garden, Sheridan, and western Cherry Counties where Freeze Warnings are in effect. Hard freeze conditions can be expected in the counties where the Freeze Warnings are up, but freezing temperatures are expected across much of the viewing area.

The cold temperatures are being caused by strong high pressure that will be right over western Nebraska overnight. This will allow for mostly clear skies and light winds, and lows will fall rapidly in the dry airmass.

Therefore, all sensitive vegetation, and any devices susceptible to freezing conditions such as backflow devices for underground sprinkler systems, need to be protected to prevent freezing.

After a frosty start, Wednesday will turn quite pleasant in the afternoon as sunshine and light winds allows highs to reach into the 60’s.

Tomorrow night will be another frosty night, but probably not as cold as tonight with clear skies and lows near freezing.

Then look for a nice warm-up Thursday and Friday as high pressure sinks to our south, and allows a southerly flow of warmer air to raise highs well into the 70’s to near 80 with lots of sun.

A weak front will cross the region Saturday morning, and without much moisture to work with will likely come through dry. However, temperatures behind the front both weekend days will be generally in the lower to middle 70’s under mostly sunny skies, so not a bad weekend shaping up.

Mike