KSHB: Weather: Action Weather Blog: A Weekend Storm

Another mild day for us... with highs in the lower 50s! The clouds raced in quickly this morning, though, and they will be with us for awhile. There is a storm developing in Nebraska this evening:

That storm is spreading light rain into our area this evening. Not all of it is reaching the ground at this time, but don't be surprised to get a sprinkle or a light shower this evening and overnight. Check out LIVE TRIPLE ACTION DOPPLER to see where the rain is right now.

The chance of light rain will stick around for the start of Saturday... and temperatures will be chilly-- in the lower 40s. Then we'll fall into the upper 30s as we head through the afternoon. Then something interesting happens. Even though we will be above freezing at the surface... as the storm strengthens... the mid-levels of the atmosphere will start to cool. It looks like they could be cool enough to support snow. Below is the "Critical Thickness" chart:

This image shows differet thicknesses in the atmosphere that can be used as clues when forecasting rain versus snow. Here is the map key:
PURPLE: 700-500mb 2560m Thickness Contour
GREEN: 850-500mb 4100m Thickness Contour
WHITE: 1000-500mb 5400m Thickness Contour
CYAN: 850-700mb 1540m Thickness Contour
RED: 1000-700mb 2840m Thickness Contour
YELLOW: 1000-850mb 1300m Thickness Contour
BLUE: 850mb 0 degree Isotherm

It looks like we could see some big, wet flakes mixing in at times... maybe accumulating on grassy surfaces. The eastern part of the viewing area will have the best shot... we'll see how it sets up tomorrow!

Have a great evening... happy last minute shopping to all you procrastinators! :) I am off tomorrow, and Jeff will be filling in. I will be back for the 10pm on Christmas (we do not have a 5 o'clock newscast on Sunday).

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Hi: Nice morning to walk the doglets, tho Parker (Lab mix) stretched my shoulder to its limits!!! If, and I mean if, as the NWS suggested, an upper-low does indeed form in south-central NE, moving to central MO by tomorrow PM, then that could bring the core of the low overhead, while any moderate to heavy precip (good lift at H3 to H7 levels) could surprise us with heavy wet snow. Though not overly probable, I suspect this is a dicey forecast, one that could surprise folks in some areas - certainly one that can't really be forecast until it starts, no matter how good the forecaster is. I would favor a nice amount of rain, with a few flakes thrown in - better for my rain-gauge to collect!!!

Have a Merry Christmas, or whatever term you wish ( I am a heathen, but have no problem with Merry Christmas!!!)

Cheers,
StormDog

HI, STORMDOG:
It's funny you say that... As I was walking Mags TODAY... I was remembering what you said about rotator cuff injuries! Perhaps it was because she was REALLY pulling at the leash! She is definitely getting stronger! :)

We are thinking we will just see rain, with a few wet snowflakes possible Saturday afternoon. The latest model data just doesn't look cold enough for snow... even at 850.

Hope you have a very happy holiday weekend!!
Jamie

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Hey weather team does it look like there is a chance of accumulating snow tomorrow in Appleton City what percent chance is there and how much could we see. Im hoping we have atleast a little bit snow christmas morning to make it look like christmas.

DANIEL:
Right now there is an 80% chance of rain on Christmas Eve. We may see some wet snowflakes mix in Saturday afternoon. But it does not look cold enough to see any accumulations.
Jamie