Sunday evening storms; then winter returns in Nebraska with blizzard conditions
First things first, there is a risk for some marginally severe storms later Sunday evening in southern Nebraska.
A Marginal (Level 1 of 5) risk includes the Tri-Cities, Holdrege, Cozad and McCook for storms possible after about 4 p.m. Sunday.
The main threats with these storms include gusts up to 60 mph and hail the size of half dollars.
Then winter is set to take over. As of Sunday morning, many winter weather alerts are in place across the state. For specific timing in your county, click here.
- Blizzard Warning (red) is in place for areas expecting heavy snow, some icing and strong winds, with gusts up to 60 mph possible. Travel could be difficult to impossible with near zero visibility and blowing/drifting snow.
- Winter Storm Warning (pink) – is in place for blizzardlike conditions and significant snow expected, not quite meeting blizzard warning criteria.
- Winter Storm Watch (blue) is in place for areas with more uncertainty in snow amounts at this point but poor visibility and blizzard conditions anticipate (especially in any heavier snow bands that develop).
- Winter Weather Advisory (purple) – less snow expected with blowing/drifting snow possible.
Stormcast below shows the timing of all of this. Thunderstorms will happen first across southern Nebraska on Sunday evening.
Rain will change to snow from west to east overnight into the day on Monday.
Most of the snow in western Nebraska is expected to fall through the first half of Monday, with snow chances in eastern Nebraska picking up by Monday night.
The heaviest snow will be seen out west, where at least half a foot is forecast in purple and pinks.
Travel at times on Monday will be difficult, if not impossible, through these areas under a Blizzard Warning.
Less snow is expected for southeast Nebraska, with generally less than an inch in the forecast.
To get whiteout conditions for a Blizzard Warning, high winds are expected to develop. Wind gusts out of the northwest could be as strong as 60 mph, especially Monday morning.
Snowfall will come to an end late Monday and early Tuesday in far eastern Nebraska with lingering gusty winds.
Meteorologist Jessica Blum
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