National Weather Service - Hastings, Courtesy
KEARNEY — An approaching winter storm system has the chance for moderate impacts from the Tri-Cities to south and east. Several inches of snow and strong winds are primary concern from Sunday night through Monday night.
The system responsible for the potential snow is a large upper-level trough of low pressure that will eject from the southern Rockies into the southern Plains late Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service – Hastings.
This system will be strengthening, and this will transport more moisture northward and increase precipitation chances.
The timing of the most impactful weather stands to be late Sunday night through Monday night, owing to higher snow rates and the likelihood of blowing or drifting snow due to strong northwest winds gusting 25 to 35 mph.
NWS Hastings notes that there is a high probability, 70-90 percent, that there will be at least some accumulating snow across their coverage area. With the highest amounts being southwest of the Tri-Cities.
The Tri-Cities themselves have a 50-70 percent chance of seeing around three inches of snow, rates diminish to the northwest.
NWS Hastings notes that moderate impacts are viewed as likely disruptions to daily life, which includes business and school closures due to hazardous winter driving conditions. Travel won’t be impossible, but likely hindered and slowed.
Conditions should improve by Tuesday as the winds become much lighter. Looking ahead into next week, models are hinting at air temperatures below zero as an Arctic outbreak looks likely.
“This could be potentially significant for livestock producers, the young and the elderly, pets, and particularly poorly insulated buildings, especially if there is widespread and significant snowpack in place by then. Those sensitive to extreme cold will want to stay up to date on forecasts over the coming week.”
