Increased fire weather potential on Tuesday

Although temperatures were a bit cooler and the sky featured more clouds on Monday, it was still a very nice day. A cold front marched through the state, leaving cooler air in its wake. Highs in the Tri-Cities topped out in the low-50s on Monday. Points to the east were on the warmer side of the boundary for longer, with Lincoln nearing the 60° mark.

We’ll say goodbye to the clouds late Monday afternoon and early evening. Skies turn mostly clear for the overnight hours. The combination of clear skies and light winds may allow for some patchy fog to develop by Tuesday morning. We’re forecasting a low near 25° in Lincoln.

Tuesday will be another gem of a day weather-wise. We’re expecting mostly clear skies and warmer temperatures. Everyone should be back in the 60s on Tuesday afternoon.

Fire Weather Potential

Not only will the air be warm, but it will also be very dry. This poses an increased fire weather danger for the day on Tuesday. The breeziest conditions and driest soils will be to the northwest. As a result, the National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather (Red Flag) Warning for those areas starting 1PM Tuesday and lasting through 8PM. This includes communities like Grand Island, Albion, Neligh, O’Neill, and Broken Bow.

While most of southeast Nebraska is not included in the warning, this does not mean there is no fire danger. In fact, the National Weather Service has hinted at expanding the warning if conditions warrant.

St. Patty’s Day Rain?

While temperatures continue to warm to near 70° on Wednesday, clouds will be on the increase. These are associated with our next weather-maker, which could bring us some rain on St. Patrick’s Day.

The bulk of the energy supplying the storm system will be to our south, so I believe that’s where most rain will be. Rain chances drop off significantly north of the I-80 corridor. We’ll fine-tune this forecast in the coming days as we get a better idea of how this system will track.

Meteorologist Malcolm Byron

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Twitter: @mbyronwx