Good afternoon everyone! We are tracking a band of light precipitation working east across eastern NE into western/southern IA as of 4:45pm CST. Given temperatures right around freezing, some of this precipitation has been allowed to transition to a light freezing rain/drizzle, which will promote slick spots across portions of IA through the nighttime hours.
Here’s a look at the area we believe is at risk for slick spots given temperatures right around freezing and the band of light precipitation working through the nighttime hours. A very light glaze of ice will be possible before all is set and done. Definitely be mindful if you will be out and about into tonight due to the freezing rain/drizzle potential.
Simulated radar through 3am CST Friday: The shower activity gradually pulls to the east with virtually all precipitation out of eastern NE by 9pm CST this evening. Additional light shower activity will transition to light freezing rain/drizzle as temperatures fall this evening in the central portions of IA. Slick spots are expected on untreated surfaces as this weak pulse of energy works through the state! By the time 3am CST rolls around, the bulk of the freezing rain/drizzle will be departing to the east.
Areas of dense fog will likely develop through the nighttime hours into Friday morning out ahead of our incoming storm system across a large portion of NE, western IA, southeastern SD and southwestern MN. Pending temperatures, which many in these areas will be at or slightly below 32ºF, some of this fog will be in the form of freezing fog which could cause some slick spots into tomorrow morning. Very little in the way of ice accretion is expected, but something to note regardless given the threat.
Winter Storm Watches remain hoisted from southwestern SD through far southern MN/northern IA with the upcoming winter storm set to impact the area. Newly issued Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for portions of far southern SD into northern NE, which is the areas we are targeting for the best snow accumulations. Winter Weather Advisories have been issued further south across sections of southern NE. These Winter Weather Bulletins run through from Friday night through Sunday.
Simulated radar from 3am CST Friday through 12am CST Monday: Areas of light showers will prelude the main disturbance across SD and NE through the day Friday. It won’t be until until Friday evening when precipitation really ramps up with a mixed bag of rain and snow in western NE and showers across eastern NE into western SD. Snow coverage increases overnight Friday into Saturday in western NE/SD with light rains more likely in eastern NE into southern IA. Temperatures will fall into Saturday morning, allowing the rains in eastern NE to transition to snow with snows spreading further east into northern IA and southern MN. This storm system will be slow-moving as it becomes cut-off from the main flow, allowing it to slowly meander and continue to dump copious amounts of snow in NE, southern SD and northern IA. The snows will gradually wane in intensity Saturday night into Sunday with most snow coverage dissipating in northern IA, SD, southern MN and northern NE as Sunday progresses. There will be some residual snow showers hanging on in southern NE/IA Sunday night.
Here is our first snowfall map regarding this upcoming winter storm: Our current thinking is that there will be a band of 12-18″ with localized 2 feet of snow possible for someone as the storm sits and lingers. Current projections point towards this area being in north-central NE into far south-central SD, but track will waver over the next day or so. Changes will be possible so stay tuned for additional updates into the weekend! This will be a memorable storm given its slow-moving nature. Winds will be quite gusty with some cases of winds approaching 35mph at times. This will lead to blowing and drifting snow that will cause treacherous driving conditions. Near-blizzard conditions will be possible with this storm. Temperatures will be modest initially in the low 30s, allowing for a heavy, wet snow that then freezes as temperatures fall Saturday night into Sunday. The heavy, wet snow will weight trees and power lines down, with possible power outages.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out! Have a great evening!