Wet weather returns on Tuesday; is it going to snow this weekend?

LINCOLN, Neb. (COLON) – After an absolutely stunning start to the week with temperatures reaching 60 degrees in Lincoln, we’ll see more active weather over the next few days with a pair of systems moving through the state. Wet weather is forecast across the region on Tuesday, with cold weather and snow returning from Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday. The good news is that colder weather doesn’t appear to be on the way, with temperatures dropping back into the 40s and 50s this coming weekend.

The weather should remain calm tonight and through most of the overnight hours, but our first system will approach the region from the south and begin bringing isolated and scattered rain by Tuesday morning. Rain will become more widespread through Tuesday morning and afternoon, with light to moderate rain expected on Tuesday. Some wet snow with light accumulations will be possible along the western edge of the precipitation shield across parts of western and central Nebraska. If we do see some snow, expect it to be wet and slushy, which should melt quickly. Some thunderstorms can’t be ruled out, with an outside chance of an isolated severe thunderstorm or two across southeastern Nebraska. The SPC has even listed parts of Pawnee, Nemaha and Richardson counties as having a marginal risk for severe weather.

The rain should be very beneficial as much of central and eastern Nebraska has seen a very dry first half of February. In fact, Lincoln did not see any measurable precipitation during the first 13 days of the month. Rainfall totals are expected to range from 0.25 to 0.75 inches in central and eastern Nebraska. Some local spots will see up to 1.00 inches of rain by Tuesday evening.

The rain should end from west to east as we move into Tuesday evening. We will see only a short break before our next system approaches the region. This second system involves an upper-level cloud that sends colder air and eventually snows over the region.

Details are still to be ironed out, but snow is forecast for parts of western Nebraska Wednesday morning through afternoon, with snow eventually moving into southern Nebraska into eastern and southeastern Nebraska by Wednesday evening. Snow can be moderate or heavy at times, and combined with strong winds, can create areas of blown and sleet. Areas of low visibility and snowy roads will cause difficult travel conditions Wednesday evening through Thursday morning. Especially in Lincoln, the Thursday morning commute looks like it could get pretty messy. A winter storm watch has already been issued for parts of southern and southeastern Nebraska from noon Wednesday through noon Thursday. The system appears to be very fast, so the snow should be gone from west to east by Thursday morning by early afternoon.

Snowfall totals are expected to be highest in northern parts of Kansas and in southern and southeastern parts of Nebraska. The forecast calls for 3″ to 6″ of snow in those areas and 1″ to 3″ further north by Monday afternoon, including in Lincoln, Omaha, as well as the Tri-Cities. As always, this amount of snow will depend on the track of the storm system and you will need to stay tuned to the forecast as we get closer to the event. The map you see below will change, and probably change several times – before it actually starts snowing!

As for temperatures, we hit a peak on Monday with highs in the 50s and 60s in parts of central and eastern Nebraska. Cold weather and wind chills are expected across the state on Tuesday, with highs dropping from the 30s to the 50s from west to east. In Lincoln and southeast Nebraska, it will still be a mild day with highs in the 50s, but it will be a wet and windy day.

Temperatures will drop by Wednesday as our next system approaches. Expect average high temperatures in the 20s to 30s below statewide, and a cooler wind chill as winds remain very breezy Wednesday.

Thursday will be the coldest day next week, with highs in the mid to upper 20s in eastern Nebraska. With strong winds expected again on Thursday, expect it to get even colder.

Temperatures will rise again over the weekend, with a high of 40 degrees by Saturday and a low of 50 degrees by Sunday, with dry weather through the weekend.

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