March opens like mid-May; Above normal temperatures continue

It was an incredible start to the month of March.  Temperatures rose to the lower and middle 70°s throughout southeast Nebraska.  Lincoln made it to 76°.  It is the warmest open to March in 16 years.  76° is also the warmest temperature recorded in Lincoln in over four months.

If you liked Tuesday’s warm weather you will like what is coming for Wednesday.  Skies should remain mainly sunny, with a few clouds developing midday.  Temperatures will quickly run in to the upper 60°s to around 70° by noon.  The mercury will continue to rise through the afternoon.  Highs should be in the middle 70°s to near 80° (near the Nebraska/Kansas border).

Lincoln should be able to top out at least at 76°.  We should fall short of tying or breaking the record high for March 2.  The current record is 79° set in 1992.

A cold front will slide through Wednesday evening.  Behind it, “cooler” air will arrive for Thursday.  By “cooler”, temperatures will remain above normal but highs will be in the 50°.

It will remain above normal through the end of the work week and the beginning of the weekend.  Colder air will arrive for the second half of the weekend.  The second half of the weekend could also bring a chance for snow, especially Sunday night.

– Chief Meteorologist John Dissauer