(Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
HASTINGS — There will be critical fire weather conditions today across the area but rain chances peak Wednesday night into Thursday. The weekend looks like it will be dry but cooler.
The main concern Monday is the critical fire weather conditions and a Red Flag Warning has been issues across much of central and north central Nebraska.
By Tuesday, a dry frontal passage will take place during the morning as the associated upper-level trough of low pressure slides east across Nebraska, per the National Weather Service – Hastings.
Forecast models remain consistent with this front have little to no impact on temperatures, but winds will become northwesterly behind the front, but will be far lighter than the gusts on Monday.
Another upper-level trough will be digging into the desert southwest and then become a cut off low pressure system. However, a lead disturbance will track across the central Plains and bring a chance for showers and thunderstorms.
The Storm Prediction Center includes the far southeastern counties of the NWS Hasting warning area in a marginal risk for severe weather Wednesday afternoon.
The rest of the area has a 60 to 90 percent chance of seeing rain falling.
On Thursday, cooler air will have moved in on the back side of the storm system and rain will come to an end across the area by the evening. A few snowflakes could fall across the extreme northwest of the NWS Hastings area.
Cooler and dry weather is expected for the upcoming weekend. Sunday will likely be the colder day as there could be another reinforcing shot of colder air behind another cold front.
