KEARNEY — The warm and dry weather conditions that have prevailed for the past several days are expected to continue through the late work week. The next weather system brings some slight chances for rain this weekend.
Aloft, high pressure is sitting right over the central Plains. With an upper-level ridge moving off to the east and a trough of low pressure to the northwest, there will be an increase in southerly winds is expected throughout the day, according to National Weather Service – Hastings.
With the warm and dry conditions present, the increase in southerly winds will transport even drier air and much of the area will experience near critical fire weather conditions this afternoon.
Winds will not be high enough to prompt a Red Flag Warning but any fires that do occur will have the potential to spread rapidly.
Temperatures today are expected to remain in the upper 60s.
The southerly winds and highs in the 60s and low 70s are expected to continue through Tuesday and Wednesday.
By Thursday, a cold front will move across the area and the main impact will be the shift in wind direction from southerly to northerly. Unfortunately, no precipitation is expected with the front’s passage.
Friday looks to be the day with the largest temperature spread, depending on which side of the front one is on. Highs in central Nebraska will be in the upper 50s.
By the weekend, an upper-level trough is expected to make its way across the western United States on Saturday and cross over the Plains late Saturday.
The best chances for rain, 40-50 percent, will be on Sunday, with some precipitation lingering into early Monday morning. NWS Hastings notes there is high uncertainty regarding precipitation amounts, but the hope is some of the area could see beneficial and needed moisture.
