Good afternoon everyone! A band of showers and embedded storms are tracking northeast across portions of the NE panhandle as of 2:25pm CDT while brilliant sunshine is being observed elsewhere across the rest of the area.
Calm weather across western KS into central NE won’t last long as upper-level energy is slowly lifting into the region. It is in these areas that I expect a scattered line of storms to develop shortly after 4pm CDT this afternoon with a gradual northeast movement. The graphic below goes into further discussion regarding today’s setup and the threat for some severe weather to accompany these storms through the early nighttime hours.
Simulated radar through 4am CDT Saturday: The broken line of storms across western KS and central NE will slowly lift eastward through the nighttime hours, gradually weakening in the process as instability is lost and increased dryness awaits this line as it treks eastward towards far eastern NE, western IA, and eastern/central KS. The severe weather threat will diminish overnight, but widely scattered showers and storms will remain in eastern NE southward into central KS as we approach the end of this loop.
Simulated radar from 4am CDT Saturday through 7am CDT Sunday: The remnants of this line will be entering western IA after 3am CDT tonight with some isolated remains still persisting across portions of eastern KS/far northwest MO. Through the remainder of the morning, only isolated showers will continue in eastern KS with a better coverage for showers/storms still in western/northern IA before this lifts northeast out of the state Saturday afternoon. By evening, most areas will be dry with very isolated showers/storms possible in eastern KS/IA and northern MO. Another wave of energy will push in from the west into western NE/northwest KS during the late afternoon and evening hours Saturday before lifting ENE through the nighttime hours Saturday into Sunday, increasing shower/storm risks for portions of NE into northwest IA.
Here’s a look at total rainfall through 7am CDT Sunday: The best shot for showers/storms are in the circled region with remnant rains affecting northwest IA Saturday morning. While shower and storm risks exist for central/eastern KS during this period, many will stay dry.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out and have a great weekend!