Hastings, Nebraska (KSNB) – Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you’ve had a lovely and joyful day. Unfortunately, the weather was not so pleasant, with dismal conditions covering much of the viewing area.
The dense fog, along with freezing precipitation and fog, will be the dominant story this evening and into the first half of tomorrow. Dense fog advisories have been issued again for the southeast portion of the state from this evening until noon Thursday.
As if fog weren’t enough, there is and will be a threat of freezing fog, as well as a tiny probability of freezing precipitation later this evening and overnight. Custard, Lincoln, Hayes, and Frontier counties will have the most possibility of this happening.
We’ve already encountered freezing fog in south central Nebraska, where rime ice has formed on elevated surfaces. Just be aware that there may be some slick patches, particularly on overpasses, untreated streets, and parking lots.
The clouds will begin to lift overnight in western parts. This is where you’ll find cooler temps. Tonight’s lows will range from the lower 20s in the northwest to the mid-30s in the southeast.
The clouds will gradually move east throughout the day on Thursday. This will result in a temperature disparity, with highs ranging from the lower 40s east to the mid-50s west.
showers chances return Friday night, with a small possibility of light showers in western Nebraska early Friday morning. Rain is expected to extend eastward during the day on Friday.
The eastern half of the state will have the best opportunity for liquid moisture, with a 20% to 40% probability of scattered showers Friday afternoon into the early evening.
Following this, the weather will get drier and warmer over the weekend. Friday’s highs will be in the mid-40s to mid-50s. On Saturday, temperatures will rise into the upper 40s to mid 50s.
Sunday could be the final pleasant day we have before temperatures return to normal next week. This could set us up for some snow at the end of 2024, as a system brings moisture to the area on Monday.
Temperatures should be near normal during the first week of the new year, with slightly above-average precipitation possibilities. So, while we didn’t have a white Christmas, could we possibly have a white New Year’s? Stay tuned for more.