Snow chance for evening commute; more snow, colder air for Nebraska coming
After the last system brought over 8 inches of snow to much of eastern Nebraska, this active week is far from over.
We have several more chances at snow with arctic air plunging into our region from the north.
LIGHT SNOW POSSIBLE – AROUND PM COMMUTE WEDNESDAY
It was a cold start to Wednesday, but without the wind. And it’s about to get a lot colder by this weekend.
So, take advantage of more sun and warmer temperatures in the 30s today.
Along a shortwave of energy, a quick burst of light snow will come for Lincoln and Omaha around the evening commute (about/after 4 p.m. Wednesday).
This could cause visibility to drop off quickly where this band sets up.
Models are in good agreement that a stretch of Lincoln toward Omaha would see this into the evening.
Any snow associated with this would be less than an inch.
ANOTHER SYSTEM COULD BRING MORE ACCUMULATING SNOW
As of Wednesday morning, new winter weather alerts were issued for most of Nebraska. Here we go again.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in place in western Nebraska for snow expected to start up late Wednesday/early Thursday and last until Friday morning.
Lincoln and southeast and south-central Nebraska are under a Winter Storm Watch for snow expected Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon.
Here’s how Stormcast shows Thursday morning to Friday evening playing out.
The system develops from a similar region as last time, looking to track south of Nebraska.
There are some questions as to where that exact track is and who will see the most snow.
We are certainly going to be cold enough that this would all stay as falling snow, piling up in the areas that saw heavy snow last time.
There’s less moisture expected with this round, as it will be a drier, fluffer snow.
The potential for heavy snow looks better for south-central and southeast Nebraska, with surrounding areas likely to see snow as well (hence the “good chance”).
Lighter snow will happen from about Broken Bow west, where Winter Weather Advisories are in place.
And the wind may cause problems once more. Strong northerly winds will increase Thursday night into Friday, with gusts up to 40 mph possible, causing areas of blowing snow.
DANGEROUS COLD COMING
An extended period of dangerous cold will begin Thursday night and will continue through at least Monday.
Wind chills are expected to be below zero for the entire region from Thursday night through Tuesday.
With that, a Wind Chill Advisory is in place for wind chill temperatures dropping below minus 20 by Friday morning.
After that, a Wind Chill Watch is in place for wind chill temperatures that will drop down to minus 30 on Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings.
Some areas could experience wind chills as low as minus 45.
Frostbite can occur in just 10 to 30 minutes when wind chills are this cold, so have ways to stay warm over the next several days.
Meteorologist Jessica Blum
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