Winter Storm Watch issued as of Friday, Jan. 3, (NWS Hastings, Courtesy)
HASTINGS — A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for much of southeastern Nebraska, including Hastings as a strong winter storm system will impact the area over the weekend.
The Winter Storm Watch has been issued from the afternoon of Saturday, Jan. 4 through Sunday, Jan. 4. The watch will likely be upgraded over the next 24 hours, keep an eye on the forecast.
The National Weather Service – Hastings notes that heavy mixed precipitation is possible, occurring on Saturday before changing over to snow during the evening. Total snow accumulation between five to 10 inches and ice accumulations ranging from a light glaze to a tenth of an inch are possible.
Freezing rain looks more likely during the daytime hours across central Nebraska on Saturday. Freezing drizzle should change to snow Saturday evening and overnight.
NWS Hastings states that the greatest confidence in the highest snowfall totals will be across southeast Nebraska and into north central Kansas. There will be a sharp gradient in snowfall totals, deceased the further north.
Areas in the north could see around two to four inches. “Whatever the exact number is, the main point is that the highest amounts will be southeast of the Tri-Cities with progressively lower amounts the further northwest you go from there,” NWS Hastings states in a forecast discussion.
With wind gusts up to 35 mph, there will be treacherous travel conditions Sunday due to the blowing snow, visibility will likely be very poor.
Following the weekend system, bitterly cold Arctic air will move into the area, bringing lows below zero and wind chill in the teens to below zero Monday through Wednesday, especially in the mornings.
“It will still be cold, but a little warmer than during the first part of the week after the area of high pressure dislodges and moves off to the east. High temperatures will be in the 20s or 30s and lows in the single digits above zero,” NWS Hastings states.
