Winter Storm: Jan. 23/24

The next storm system for the northern and central Plains is working its' way onshore today, and will make its' way past the Rockies and onto the Plains by late Friday.  This system will likely only be a winter weather producer for areas of Iowa/Nebraska and points north on Saturday, with perhaps areas of northern Kansas/Missouri seeing some wintery precipitation on Sunday as the system exits the Plains late Sunday and early Monday.  While areas of the Dakotas and Minnesota will be looking at the potential for both accumulating ice and snow, the main concern over parts of Nebraska/Iowa and nearby adjacent areas will be the rain/freezing rain potential once again.  Precipitation on Saturday will be mixed with freezing rain, rain, and sleet at times before changing over to snow later Saturday night.  Ice accumulations ranging from a quarter to a half-inch are possible across portions of Iowa, with lesser amounts likely over other areas of Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota.  Once again there may be localized areas that receive higher accumulations of ice and sleet, with currently forecasts indicating that western Iowa may once again see the heaviest band of accumulating ice/sleet.  The heaviest snowfalls will likely come across parts of the central Dakotas where upwards of 6 inches is possible on top of a tenth of an inch of ice.

Regarding the timing of this system, current indications will be for the Dakotas and Nebraska to see precipitation begin as early as Friday evening and continue through Saturday afternoon, with only lingering snow showers for Saturday night and Sunday.  Western Iowa will see a start early Saturday and continue until early Sunday, with only lingering snow left for Sunday evening into early Monday; central and eastern Iowa will see precipitation begin Saturday afternoon and continue through Sunday afternoon before lingering snowfall remains for Sunday evening into Monday.  Farther south over Kansas and Missouri, the main concerns for any winter precipitation will be for later Saturday and Sunday as the cold air pushes southeast.  Areas of northeast Kansas and northern Missouri may be able to see some light snow, with perhaps accumulations of up to an inch possible in isolated locations mainly in far northern Missouri.  Otherwise these areas of KS/MO can expect rainfall and perhaps a thunderstorm or two beginning early Saturday and continuing through the day.

An update on this winter storm is likely on early Saturday as the system begins to impact the Plains.