Dick Faurot's Weather Blog: Another Round of Precipitation Headed Our Way

What a start to the New Year. Fortunately the system producing the freezing rain is moving eastward quickly, giving us a break as we go into the overnight hours and to start the day Friday. But, that will be followed by the main storm system aloft moving across the state Fri/Sat and that will bring with it another round of precipitation. Right now, all indications suggest this will be a liquid event as surface temperatures are expected to be above freezing for Friday afternoon, that night, and through the day Saturday. However, the back side of the system still has the potential to produce some snow late in the day Saturday or that night, primarily for the counties along the OK/KS state line.

This next system also has the potential to produce some decent rainfall as you can see by the 1-3 day QPF map which is valid through the day Sunday. Some of us could end up with as much as an inch or so by the time it is all said and done. By the way, any precipitation will have ended by Saturday night as we will finally get to see some sunshine on Sunday.

Temperatures will be the critical factor regarding precipitation type as has been the case today. For tonight, temperatures are expected to hold steady at or just below freezing which could lead to black ice issues for travel through the overnight hours. As mentioned, Friday will start off dry but rain will be moving in from the SW by afternoon or evening. By that time, temperatures should have moderated into the mid-upper 30s, at least it will be above freezing, and we expect temperatures to stay above freezing Friday night.

Most of the rain should be moving on eastward early Saturday morning and we may even get enough of a dry slot aloft for some afternoon sunshine. If so, then we may make it into the 40s during the day, but for now am keeping temperatures in the upper 30s to near 40. Late Saturday into the night is when the backside of the system could produce some snow, primarily along the OK/KS border counties and points northward from there. In fact, there could be several inches accumulate on up into KS before that comes to an end by Sunday morning.

After that, it will just be cold with gusty northerly winds keeping us in the 20s on Sunday but at least with lots of afternoon sunshine. Early next week will also be cold with morning lows in the teens to low 20s and daytime highs struggling to get much above freezing.

After that, the longer range guidance continues to suggest temperatures will be moderating as we get into that following weekend and the following week.

So, stay tuned and check back for updates.

Dick Faurot