Friday warm up before a temperatures collapse this weekend

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - A brief burst of light snow will race from northwest to southeast across the state Thursday evening. Minimal accumulations are expected, but as wind gusts increase, visibility will drop with the approach of the snow. Late tonight temperatures will slowly begin to climb as warmer air moves in. The low for the day may occur shortly after midnight as the thermometer climbs from the mid 20s into the lower 30s by early Friday morning.

That sets a stable foundation for what will be the warmest day of the week, as afternoon highs climb into the mid to upper 30s with lower 40s in the southeast.

Enjoy that. A 180 degree temperature turnaround is still going to happen this weekend. Snow will accompany the approach of an arctic airmass that will send temperatures tumbling into the single digits by Sunday. Snow appears likely across Northern Nebraska Friday night into Saturday, with the heaviest snow north of the Local 4 Viewing area. But folks to the north of Grand Island, from Ord to Greeley to Fullerton could see 1-3 inches of snow with less than an inch projected near the I-80 corridor. Some freezing drizzle could occur in these southern areas however, that could create a light icy glaze. The southern extent of the precipitation is still in question, so keep track of the latest forecasts heading into the weekend.

What is most certain is the bitterly cold coming our way. Temperatures by Saturday night will steadily fall with the colder air lingering into next week. Highs on Saturday will be in the upper 20s, but plummet to below zero by Sunday morning. The temperatures ceiling on Sunday and Monday will only be in the single digits. Winds Chills will drop as low as -15 to -25 degrees.

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