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You heard that right. The Omaha Weather Office is moving from this blog to a new professional website in the next few days. Better features will be included plus HTML will in use with the website so more features will be installed.

Cold Weekend Ahead

A cold weekend is in store for the Heartland. High temperatures in Nebraska and Iowa should reach the 30’s,40’s and 50’s for high temperatures as well as South Dakota. Western Nebraska may see some light snow showers Saturda through Saturday Night and Eastern Nebraska may experience some snow flurries.

What about next week?

Next week should really warm up ahead of the storm system that is set to develope. High temps should be in the 60’s and 70’s in Nebraska with teh low pressure locat ed in South Dakota. if we get some instability some thunderstorms will be possible if the low is far enough north. We really have to watch this as it might be our first outbreak of storms or severe weather.

NCAA BASKETBALL FORECAST

Some really big teams are coming to Omaha’s Qwest Center Omaha to play for the title! Thursday night features a big game with Kansas duking it out! It should be a chamber of commerce weather day with high temperatures in the 60’s. Thursday night should be tranquil and juke a light jacket will be needed when you are exiting the Qwest Center! Enjoy your basketball game!

Spring just hours away!

Ahh, spring time! Hasn’t it been a while folks! Thursday[Tomorrow] is the first day of spring! It has been the coldest winter in 10 years and i can say that im ready to say good bye to winter! Today was a beautiful day in the heartland with high temperatures reaching the 40’s 50’s and 60’s in Nebraska and 40’s and 50’s in Iowa as well as Much of South Dakota. Kansas had even warmer temperatures with highs mainly in the lower to upper 60’s. As we speak, a small area of spring showers is moving towards Eastern Nebraska. Will not amount to much but expect a few showers or sprinkles in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa before it falls apart. As we head into Thursday, it should be the warmest day of the week! It will truely fell like spring with mostly 50’s and 60’s for Nebraska, with 60’s and 70’s for Kansas and 50’s and 60’s for Iowa. Highs in South Dakota should be in the 40s, 50s, and 60’s for high temperatures.

Is Winter giving its last gasp….in Spring?!?!?

Yes! It appears so! Numerous Winter Storm Watches have been posted for Minnesota and Illinois with a storm system that will develop in the Kansas and head eastward. Areas in Northern Iowa eastern Iowa South Minnesota should get the brunt of the snowstorm. The track is perfect for Nebraska but with this type of low, no snow or rain is forecasted for much of Nebraska with this event. The current Gfs model gives Southern and Northeast Iowa as well as Chicago a good hefty batch of Snowfall with possible 4-8″ of new snowfall! The models also suggest some Convective thundersnow with this event with possible even higher totals up to 10″ in some areas! It appears that my long range forecast i made a while ago came true with the perfect track of this up coming storm.

Easter Weekend

The latest models have been giving a decent weekend for easter egg hunts for the kids with most of Nebraska and Iowa staying quiet. However, the model have been developing a MAJOR storm system in Kansas with light precip extending northward into Nebraska! Even more interesting that their would be sufficient cold air in Kansas and Nebraska so that a mix of snow and rain or just plain snow falls. This storm does not really move a whole lot but could give some meaningful rainfall to Texas and Oklahoma with some snowfall possible in Kansas. This storm defiently bears watching but at this point looks to move away from the OWO viewing area.

What about Next Week?

Currently its looking like a tranquil early next week. High temperatures early next week should recover to the 50’s 60’s and 70’s for high temps. Should be no storms but as we head later in the week the latest model have been developing a storm system later next week with possible snowstorm in Northern Plains and Severe Weather Outbreak somewhere in the Southern and Central Plains. But before that s strong southerly flow developes with windy conditions possible next week just ahead of the storm system developing in South Dakota! The next frame then developes the low pressure in Nebraska with strong southerly flow moving in Nebraska with showers developing on Wednesday in the Northern Plains!

Spring Weather on the way!

Ahhhhhh! After some spring showers yesterday time to get some much needed nice weather! I still find it funny how we go from way below normal temperatures in one day to way above normal temperatures! What a wacky two weeks it has been for the Central Plains! After a very soupy and foggy morning in eastern Nebraska, Iowa and Southeast South Dakota, the clouds cleared and nice weather commenced on most of the heartland! Highs skyrocketed into the 40’s and 50’s for most locals! Highs should even soar even more as we head into Wednesday with 60 degree temperatures possible in Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri and 40’s and 50’s for Iowa and South Dakota. Now you know it cant last……it cant! We got a small little wave of low pressure to move through Thursday night with a few sprinkles and snow flurries in South Dakota Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa. No big deal right? Right! As we head towards Easter Weekend, things turn to the worst! A storm system is set to move into the Heartland and move east through Kansas. An expected precip band of snow and rain is expected to form right over Southern South Dakota Minnesota Northeast Nebraska, Central and Eastern Iowa. The latest GFS is being the most aggressive model with this storm with 3-6″ of snowfall in Central and Easter Iowa! Do i think this will happen? No! I expect it to be further north and a bit weaker with only 2-4″ of snow maybe 5″ if your lucky. Most of Nebraska should escape any bad weather for the holiday weekend! While im talking about the nice weather the upper plains are having that is not so in Missouri! Missouri is getting pumled with VERY heavy rain and severe thunderstorms! Some locals in Missouri may receive up to 8″ of total rainfall! That is absolutely incredible! Rain and Thunderstorms will continue to train over the same area into the afternoon hours tomorrow and begin to move out tomorrow night. Most of the Central Plains should begin to dry out into Thursday! Most of the same next week with a possible storm system developing next week. The latest GFS model suggest a storm system develops next monday but no moisture involved with it. I will keep an eye on it because it looks ominous just sitting their and could very well turn out to be a big storm. Here is my new extended two week forecast;

BIG Storm System moves East

The big storm system brought Heavy rain and snow to Nebraska mainly this morning with 2-6″ of snow reported from Central Nebraska to Southeast South Dakota. Iowa and Eastern Nebraska got mainly rainfall with this system with generally .50 of rain or less. Areas in missouri are gonna get socked with the rain with possibly up to 6-8″ of rainfall near St Louis! Tremendous rainfall and Thunderstorms will continue well into tomorrow over Missouri and Eastern Kansas!

Weekend Storm

The latest GFS model and ECMWF model have been indicating a storm system developing over the Rockies and heading eastward. The Gfs paints a stripe of 6″ of snow from Northeast Nebraska to Central and Eastern Iowa. With less as you go further south. The interesting thing is that this comes right out of the pacific northwest, gathering strength and moisture as it heads east. This may be a system we have to watch, because this could turn out to be a big storm for a few locals. Since this is a easter weekend, i will keep a close eye on it.

Gfs above shows freezing line into iowa with possible moderate snowfall in Central and Northern and Eastern Iowa.

Severe Weather next week?

Well, the latest EURO and last GFs run were indicating a possible strong pressure with severe storms in Nebraska and Iowa next Monday and tuesday but it seams that the latest Gfs model totally took out any chances of any storm. I will continue to update you on this storm.

Sincerely,

Craig McPeck
Chief Forecasting Operations

Radar Update
11:24 AM

Most of the rainfall and snowfall in Nebraska is mostly done with for the remainder of the day. However, a few thunderstorms are developing in Southeast Nebraska and are heading Northeast and could clip Omaha and Lincoln Nebraska. One band of rain is moving through Iowa as this time and after taht band is done, a small other band may move through. Missouri and Eastern KAnsas are really getting hit hard! Kansas city got one bout of extreme rainfall this morning and more training rainfall continues. Areas in KC may pick up an 1 1/2″ of rain. Areas in Missouri are cdurrently heavy thunderstorms with 1-8″ of rainfall expected with the entire event! Stay dry out their!

8:30 UPDATE on WINTER STORM/HEAVY RAIN/SEVERE WEATHER

Looks like msot of my forecast is right on track but areas in Northeast nebraska may see more snow then i forecasted early. Currently a band of moderate sleet was moving north in Nebraska and Iowa, expect no accumulations with that band. As the night progresses expect heavy precip to develop with 1-2″ snow rates in Central and Western Nebraska and Well as Eastern South Dakota. Areas of East Central nebraska may see an inch or two of snow but im not too keen on that. But mostly expect some very decent rain amounts in Iowa Kansas and Eastern Nebraska and Missouri. Areas in East Central and Southeast nebraska and Western Iowa may see 1-2″ of rain if the precip stays all rain. Expect 1-5″ of rain from Eastern Kansas to missouri with this entire event. One thing concerns me with the cold temperatures in Eastern Nebraska, as the rain moves in it may cool the ares even more and the 1-2″ may hold true. Never the less, i will keep the chances in for 1-2″ of snow as far south as Omaha but im not crazy about it. Expect much more widespread snow in western and Central NEbraska. Severe weather will be expected in Eastern Kansas and Missouri on Monday with hail, wind and tornados possible. A few storms may also be possible in Extreme Eastern Nebraska. Here is my snowfall forecast;

HEAVY RAIN/STORMS/SNOW All on the plate for Pattys day

Nature may not be looking to green yet but heavy rainfall will aid to the growth of the spring green plants as we head into the coming months. The latest computer models our developing a VERY hefty amount of rainfall in Eastern Nebraska and Iowa. Areas in that area look to stand a half inch to 1 1/2″ of rainfall with this entire event. AS you move further west temperatures should be cool enough for a Spring time winter storm with 3-7″ of snowfall possible. The heaviest snow may fall in the morning with 1″ hour rates of snowfall possible. As you head into south Dakota, 3-5″ of snowfall will be possible in Southern South Dakota as well as Southern Minnesota. Thunderstorms may also be possible in Eastern Nebraska and Iowa so dont be suprised if you hear a clap of thunder or flash of the lightning bolt! As you head further south, more humid juicy air shall erupt some spring time severe thunderstorms in Eastern Kansas and over much of the South East. Areas such as Eastern Kansas to Missouri may see 1-6″ of total rainfall and flooding may be possible with this event. With the thunderstorms, deadly lightning, large hail, strong winds and isolated tornados will be possible As you head into Eastern Kansas, more of a Wind and hail event will be possible but i cant rule out a tornado warning or two. The heavy rainfall should continue into Missouri and parts of extreme Eastern Kansas into Tuesday so i would not be suprised if their is a abundance of flood watches issued by the Nation Weather Servce, actually most NWS offices said that their will actually issue some. All the rain and storms should exit out of all the Central States on wednesday for a cool yet average - below average temperature day.

Easter Snowstorm?

The Gfs model as well as the European models have been developing a snowstorm for parts of Nebraska Iowa Kansas and Missouri next Easter Weekend! Here is a map that the latest Gfs is displaying;

WOW! Look at that bullseye in Nebraska, with sufficient cooling, their could be some heavy snowfall in Nebraska. But then the storm begins to move southward and Kansas City gets on the action with heavy snow;

Areas of Northern Missouri and Kansas woudl continue to experience heavy snowfall

While im not buying this storm yet, it looks quite a lot like the last storm that busted badly for so many forecasters. But the last model trends and other runs have shown this storm. Since its forecasting it to be on Easter Weekend, i will keep a VERY close eye on this storm for all of you guys.

WINTER IS NOT DONE YET

Sincerely,

Craig McPeck
Chief Forecasting Operations

BRRRRRRR!

Wow, now wasn’t today just downright chilly! Most of Nebraska stayed in the Upper 30’s all day with lower 40’s in western Nebraska. As well as most of Kansas and Missouri! What a change! Now i am really regretting not wearing a winter jacket today!

Snow/Rain/Storms

Folks do we have a messy end of the weekend and early start of the week to get through! first off, do not put away those snow shovels if you live in Western Nebraska! You will need them once again! The storm system should start gathering strength on sunday with light showers/snow showers in most of Nebraska and Kansas and South Dakota at this point. It may begin to be a bit breezy in Western Nebraska as the tight pressure gradients bounce off the low pressure move towards the region. As we head towards sunday night - monday the rain should get heavier and turn to snow in western nebraska and s/w South Dakota. The snow should continue into Monday night but much more lightly. I would expect a general 3-7″ of snowfall out of this entire event in Western Nebraska and s/w South Dakota. Again, windy conditions will be be possible. As you head further east in Central Nebrasla, Eastern Nebraska, Kansas Missouri, Heavy rainfall and Thunderstorms will be predominate threat with this storm. Areas in Eastern Nerbaska and Parts of Iowa may get near 1.00″ of rainfall with the entire event. Areas in Eastern Nebraska and Iowa may also experience Thunderstorms scattered about with the rainfall expected. as you head further south into kansas Severe Thunderstorms and EXTREMELY heavy rainfall will be expected! If you live in Eastern Kansas and Missouri, Expected 1-6″ of rainfall. About the severe weather with the storm you should expect large hail, damaging winds and deadly tornados expected. Folks, this should be a very dangerous severe weather outbreak and i caution you that if you live in Eastern Kansas and Missouri, to keep an eye out on the sky.

What about the rest of week and Easter? Any more big storms?

Not really, expect average temps the entire week with maybe a few showers on the 21st of March witha small little storm system north of the area. Easter weekend looks generally quiet but past model runs showed a storm on the weekend so i will keep an eye out on it.

Well, stay up to date on this website as more updates come in!

Sincerely,

Craig McPeck
Chief Forecasting Operations

BIG Storm Next week?

Well good morning fellow readers! I have been scanning through the latest models and it appears that Most of Nebraska Kansas Iowa and Missouri are in for a Stormy St patricks day! The latest Gfs model has been showing heavy rainfall/thunderstorms anywhere in Eastern Nebraska Central and Southern Iowa Central and Eastern Kansas and all of Missouri! Areas such as Southern Iowa Missouri and Eastern Kansas stand the best shot at Severe Thunderstorms with large hail and winds during the day with scattered thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in Central and Eastern Nebraska and Central Iowa. Will their be any snow? Currently the NWS in Cheyenne Wyoming issued a Winter Storm watch for portions of Western Nebraska but i am not buying that. The latest model trends do show some snow but not that much.

More updates will be made as more model runs come in.

Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Craig McPeck
Chief Forecasting Operations

Radar Update

*Yawn!* Well hello fellow readers, just got back from work to give everyone the heads up on who could see some wet weather!

The current radar trends are showing a large area of rainfall in southeast Nebraska extending roughly south of a line from Nebraska City and Lincoln Nebraska. This rain will continue to move eastward and should miss all of East Central Central Iowa and the rest of Nebraska. areas of Eastern Kansas will be experiencing moderate rainfall for the remainder of the night. as colder air gets drawn in, rain may miss with snow but no accumulation expected.