Probability of snow accumulation over 0.1 inches through Saturday, Jan. 31, (NWS Hastings, Courtesy)
HASTINGS — After the brief warm up mid-week across central Nebraska, there will be the possibility for multiple rounds of light snow Thursday through Saturday. Arctic air makes its return over.
According to the National Weather Service – Hastings, a shortwave trough of low pressure will move into the Plains early Thursday morning. Snow is likely to start during the early morning hours northeast of the Tri-Cities.
“The most widespread snow during the daytime hours on Thursday will be the mid-late
morning hours, with snow possible, 15-50 percent, for areas roughly along and northeast of the Tri-Cities,” per NWS Hastings.
There will be a lull in the snow during the early evening, and accumulation looks to be light, with less than an inch of snow, areas to the northeast could see just over an inch.
As the area of low pressure strengthens, it will bring another round of snow to the region on Thursday night into Friday will a shot of Arctic air.
A band of snow looks to shift from the northeast to the southwest Thursday night into Friday afternoon as an area of Arctic high pressure moves into the region.
“Similar to Thursday, snow accumulations will be light, with most areas seeing less than an inch of snow. Highs on Friday will be in the teens to 20s, warmest across southwestern portions of the area,” per NWS Hastings.
Skies clear and winds become light Friday night into Saturday morning under the influence of the Arctic high pressure area. This will allow temperatures to drop below zero, around four to eight degrees below zero, resulting in a frigid start to Saturday.
“Wind chill values will sink into the negative teens, though light winds should limit how low wind chills are able to get. After sunrise, southerly flow strengthens over the area on Saturday ahead of the next shortwave trough, with highs in the 20s,” NWS Hastings stated.
The next chance for light snow comes on Saturday as a clipper system drops out of the north and moves into the Plains, any accumulation will again be under a inch.
Temperatures look to rebound on Sunday onwards as an upper-level ridge of high pressure builds over the Rockies and Plains. Highs will be in the upper 30s to low 50s, with lows dipping around 10-20 degrees.
