Hard freeze
Temperatures will be dropping below freezing overnight in much of western and central Nebraska the next few days. For portions of central Nebraska this will be the first true hard freeze of the season. Eastern sections may see sub-freezing temperatures on Friday and Saturday morning but are less likely to drop to hard freeze levels. Sorry to those around southeast Nebraska who are wanting the bugs to die off for the next several months. Count myself in that category!
Figure 1. Projected low temperatures on Friday morning
Mild and dry
After more seasonal temperatures to finish the work week, milder weather will return by the end of the end of the week as upper level ridging sets in over the north central region.
Figure 2. Projected 500-mb anomalies
That ridging will remain entrenched for most of next week and lead to an extended dry stretch (Fig. 3) and also very mild temperatures (Fig. 4). Highs in the 60’s to lower 70’s should be common next week with more sun than we have seen of late. Right now, the models are not showing much in the way of even a subtle disturbance that would lead to slight chances of rainfall. So, the odds of significant rainfall anywhere in the state the next 10 days are pretty slim.
Figure 3. Projected precipitation anomalies next week
Figure 4. Projected temperature anomalies next week
Wetter weather likely later in November
A more active, southwest flow upper air pattern is likely to set up again after November 15-16th. That will open chances for rain and there are indications it could be unusually wet leading up to the week of Turkey Day across the state. Temperatures are likely to remain mild, though we may need to watch for the possibility of wintry precipitation in western Nebraska if storms take similar paths to what they have been. Eastern sections of the state could be looking at some flooding potential.
Figure 5. Projected rainfall totals between November 17th-23rd.