Hazy in Nebraska before cold front sweeps smoke away for a refreshingly cool Friday

We’re waking up to our coldest morning yet in Lincoln (first 40s of the season). Morning temperatures are getting closer to record lows, but not near frost territory just yet.

Our average first fall frost in southeast Nebraska happens the first week of October. It’s earlier for western Nebraska.

Smoke has settled in and caused the air quality to worsen overnight though.

Eastern Nebraska is under an Air Quality Alert until 11 a.m. Thursday morning. The AQI could range from “moderate” to “unhealthy for sensitive groups” during that time today.

With smoke producing hazy skies and poor air quality at the surface in eastern Nebraska, another plume of smoke will move into western Nebraska today. Ultimately though, a cold front Thursday evening will sweep away the smoke by Friday.

We also will experience more wind down here at the surface. Afternoon temperatures will warm to the middle and upper 70s with winds out of the south-southwest gusting up to 25-30 mph.

There will be quite the difference in afternoon temperatures across Nebraska. Afternoon highs will be in the 70s in eastern Nebraska, while almost approaching 90° in southwest Nebraska.

Higher winds will develop behind that cold front this afternoon, too. Northern Nebraska looks to face wind gusts up to 40 and 45 mph.

Turning to talk of precipitation chances with that front now, better forcing for storm development is displaced toward northwest Iowa into Minnesota.

That being said, there is potential for a stronger storm or two to develop in eastern Nebraska this evening. If that happens, some hail and wind could be possible as well.

Light rain showers will be possible Friday morning across southern Nebraska along I-80 and to the south starting out.

Then, we’ll face a refreshing day of cooler and smoke-free air throughout tomorrow.

The weekend forecast looks FANTASTIC!

Which means we should have almost picture-perfect conditions for the Huskers first home game Saturday evening.

Glad the weather this time around will be nowhere near what it was when we tried to face Akron, seven years ago. Back in 2018, that game was canceled due to a deluge of rain and lightning.

Meteorologist Jessica Blum 
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