Storms possible in the evenings this weekend

UPDATE 12:05 A.M. SUNDAY – The National Weather Service has extended the Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 2 a.m. Sunday for several counties in central and southern Nebraska.

Thunderstorms continue to fire up along I-80 from York to just east of Kearney.  The thunderstorms have the potential of producing heavy rain and large hail.

The storms are moving to the south at approximately 20 mph.

Also of note late Saturday night.  Saturday evening high-resolution computer models are becoming more aggressive with thunderstorm development by early Sunday evening.  A few of these thunderstorms could be strong to severe, with the main threat being large hail and damaging wind. — Chief Meteorologist John Dissauer

ORIGINAL STORY 5:36 P.M. SATURDAY – It has been a nice Saturday.  After morning showers southeast Nebraska has had a fair amount of sunshine.  The sunshine is allowing the atmosphere to heat up and “cook”.  This is sending temperatures in to the 80°s, but it is also allowing the atmosphere to destabilize.

There is a weak front draped across the northern third of Nebraska (from east to west).  Along the front we are beginning to see scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop.

Because of this the Storm Prediction Center has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of central and eastern Nebraska.  The watch is in effect until midnight Sunday morning.

Thunderstorms are expected to expand in coverage and slide to the southeast Saturday evening.  This will send thunderstorms, some of which could be strong to severe, to the I-80 corridor between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. Saturday.

After midnight the threat for rain and thunderstorms should be contained to the central part of the state, leaving southeast Nebraska relatively dry.

Sunday will bring overcast skies to the region.  We will keep a chance for showers and an isolated thunderstorm in the forecast for early morning towards Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings, and Red Cloud.

As we go through the day Sunday, skies should remain overcast and there will be a chance for an isolated shower across southeast Nebraska, although I think most will remain dry through the day.

Showers and thunderstorms should begin to develop by early evening Sunday near the stalled front from Saturday.  This could bring rain to the I-80 corridor between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday.  The line of thunderstorms should dive south through the evening, reaching the Nebraska/Kansas state line by 11 p.m. Sunday.

– Chief Meteorologist John Dissauer