Goodland weekly weather briefing: Chance of light snow before holiday

GOODLAND, Kan. - The National Weather Service (NWS) Goodland office has issued its weekly weather briefing for Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas, providing an outlook for the upcoming week and detailing potential weather impacts. The forecast highlights the likelihood of a brief warm-up followed by colder conditions, along with a chance for winter weather midweek.

Bottom Line Up Front:

Chilly start to the week: Today will be cool with temperatures on the lower end, followed by a brief warm-up on Tuesday.

Midweek system: A potential weather system could bring rain and snow to the region, though confidence in the exact details remains low.

Cold weekend ahead: The outlook signals below-normal temperatures for the weekend, with highs likely in the mid-40s and lows in the upper teens.

Outlook for Next Week:

The forecast suggests a persistent northwest flow will dominate the Plains through the first week of December. This pattern could cause fluctuating temperatures, depending on whether any cold air from Canada makes its way south. While there are no clear indicators of widespread precipitation, any disturbances within the flow could trigger occasional showers or light snow.

Drought Monitor Update:

Recent rain and snow systems have led to improvements in drought conditions across the region. Heading into winter, drought impacts are expected to be less noticeable as vegetation becomes dormant. However, officials continue to monitor the situation closely.

Severe Weather Outlook:

This week will be dominated by cooler air, significantly reducing the chances for severe weather. Thunderstorm activity is unlikely, and the potential for severe weather is minimal.

Fire Weather Outlook:

The fire weather risk is expected to remain low to very low throughout the week. Humidity levels are forecast to stay above 30%, and winds will generally be light, remaining around 10 mph or less. While breezy conditions are possible on Wednesday, any fire weather concerns are mitigated by higher humidity and precipitation chances.

Weather Impact Summary:

Winter Weather: A low-confidence winter system is expected midweek, with light snow or rain likely. Impacts on travel may include slick roads and reduced visibility.

Temperature impacts: Wind chills may drop below zero in the mornings, especially on Wednesday and Thursday.

Wind impacts: Winds will be generally light, with no significant concerns for blowing dust or high wind conditions this week.

Winter Weather Details:

Tuesday morning: Patchy freezing fog is possible, particularly in areas of Colorado highlighted on the map.

Wednesday (Thanksgiving Eve): A low-confidence winter weather system may bring light snow or rain to the region. The most likely scenario includes trace amounts to 1 inch of snow, with up to 2 inches possible in some areas. A worst-case scenario could involve 4 to 6 inches of snow in eastern Colorado, with blowing snow reducing visibility in some locations.

This system could impact travel, especially along major east-west highways, with slick roads and reduced visibility expected.

Summary:

Expect a cool start to the week, with a brief warm-up on Tuesday.

A midweek system could bring rain and snow, but details remain uncertain.

The weekend will likely bring below-normal temperatures, though the exact extent of the cold remains unclear.

For more updates, residents are encouraged to check the NWS Goodland website or contact the office directly through their social media channels.

Contact Information:

Website: www.weather.gov/gld

Public phone: 785-899-7119

Email: nws.goodland@noaa.gov

Facebook: facebook.com/NWSGoodland

Twitter: @NWSGoodland