Good morning everyone! We are continuing to track light snows across the NE Panhandle as of 9:05am CST while very light rain showers have begun to fall near the IA/MO border. Through the duration of the day, we expect a corridor of snows to gain coverage across western/southern NE into far northern KS/MO.
Winter Weather Advisories have been hoisted by the National Weather Service across western NE with a smaller patch in far southeastern NE/far northwestern MO. In general, the advisories in western NE run through 10pm EST tonight while the advisories in far southeastern NE/far northwestern MO are in effect until 1am EST tonight. We wouldn’t be surprised to see these expanded through the day.
Simulated radar through 12pm CST Sunday: A corridor of snows develops along a frontal boundary draped from western NE through southern NE and along the MO/IA border through the afternoon and evening hours. Small patches of rain on the southern periphery of these snows are possible. This narrow band of snow will slowly work southeastward through the overnight hours, with coverage decreasing in western NE while snows clip the northern third of KS/MO. As we progress into Sunday morning, a majority of the light snows will be located over portions of northern MO, but will be exiting by noon CST Sunday. Winds today will gust upwards of 25mph, likely resulting in reduced visibilities and some blowing snow. Definitely be mindful of slick spots as this narrow band of snow works through these areas, especially in southern/western NE where temperatures will be in the 20s. To the south in far southeastern KS into southern MO, an additional wave of light rains and drizzle will work in late tonight.
Simulated radar from 12pm CST Sunday through 12pm CST Monday: The snows will have exited to the east by this point, but we’ll be continuing to watch a patch of light rains/drizzle work through the southern portions of MO through Sunday night. This wave will gradually lift eastward and pull out of southeastern MO by mid-morning Monday. Elsewhere, a weak disturbance from the Northern Plains will clip northern/eastern NE and far northern MO Sunday night into Monday bringing very light shower chances to these areas. However, there will be plenty of dry air with this wave so most of the precipitation that falls from the clouds will evaporate before reaching the surface.
An area of frontogenesis (developing boundary that aids in lift) will set up shop along the IA/MO border into southeastern NE this evening (first image). This will aid in the development of a band of snow stretching across these areas. The second image depicts total snowfall through Sunday morning, which shows snow accumulations of 1-3″+ in this general area of frontogenesis and extending westward into western NE. We can’t rule out pockets of 4-5″ of snow within this corridor given the magnitude of frontogenesis (aiding in snow development) and temperatures falling well into the 20s.
Here’s a look at total precipitation through the next 7 days: In general, once we work out this precipitation Monday morning, an overall quiet pattern is expected through the work week with the next batch of precipitation chances holding off until Friday (more likely in MO). A majority of the precipitation comes through Monday with the next system Friday adding to the totals in MO. The vast majority stay under 0.5″ of liquid with localized pockets of 0.5″+ not out of the question near the IA/MO border.
High temperatures over the next four days: It will be a chilly day across NE with highs likely remaining in the 20s. KS will also largely remain in the 30s but a sliver of warmth in far southeastern KS into southern MO will bring high temperatures well into the 50s and even lower 60s. The boundary that brings snow today for some areas will drift southward into Sunday, with temperatures likely staying in the 30s and lower 40s.
Low temperatures over the next four days: Sunday morning lows will drop into the upper teens across NE with 20s more likely in KS and northern MO. With a narrow corridor of fresh snow likely in far northern MO, temperatures Monday morning will likely fall into the teens. Morning lows in the 20s are more likely elsewhere (excluding southeastern MO).
Wind forecast over the next four days: Today will feature the gustiest winds across KS, southeastern NE and western MO where gusts upwards of 30mph will be common. Winds will remain fairly light Sunday and Monday.
Here’s a look at the high/low temperatures over the next 10 days for Columbia, Kansas City, Wichita and North Platte:
If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out! Have a great weekend!