Winter returns....Rain/Snow/Sleet/Wind

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - After a warm, breezy day, the rug will get swept out from under our feet as a winter storm impacts our area late tonight through Thursday. Rain will develop late tonight and may be occurring at the start of the morning commute, depending on how quickly a cold front swipes through the Tri-Cities areas. How quickly the cold air moves through and how strong the front is, could determine how fast the already wet roads could freeze. so be on the watch for a flash freeze situation, should it occur.

High temperatures will go into the books as having occurred after midnight Wednesday night, with falling temperatures through Thursday afternoon. By the time you head out the door we should be transitioning to snow, which could include some icing on the roadways.

Already gusty winds will increase to 50 mph or more, causing visibility concerns with the blowing snow. Snow amounts will be heaviest from Central to Northeast Nebraska but there will be some 1-3 inch accumulations along the I-80 corridor with slightly higher amounts in counties north of Grand Island.

Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories will be in effect for Central and Eastern Nebraska into Thursday Evening.

This should be a fast moving system, so the precipitation should be to the east of the Tri-Cities before mid afternoon and through our eastern counties by evening. It will remain windy through the afternoon into the evening. Brisk northerly winds will make for a blustery day for St Patrick’s Day with a small chance for a little light snow, but most locations will be dry. Cold air will be reinforced on Saturday as highs will stay in the upper 20s, while only warming into the mid to upper 30s on Sunday. A series of disturbance next week will provide slight chances for rain Monday and Tuesday. Yet another midweek system will increase chances for rain, perhaps mixing with snow into Wednesday.

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