Trending into a warmer setup for now

After a busy start to the week with two winter systems, things are about to take a turn for the warmer around the Plains. We still aren't out of this busy pattern just yet as we have our sights focused on a weekend storm that will be racing through the region Saturday. And there's a chance we will have some thunderstorms around here too - fitting for Kansas, right (in January)?

Here's a preview of how the setup will look for the end of this week. The jet stream winds (at 30,000 feet) are about to push back to the northern US and allow the milder air to return. Just look at the forecast temperatures by Friday.

 

The late-week rally in temperatures is a direct result of the next storm that will push toward Kansas on Saturday. As the storm comes in, it will run into 40 and 50 degree temperatures, so there's no reason to worry about poor travel conditions in Kansas over the weekend. Even behind the storm, temperatures are not going to drop much, so Sunday will likely still have highs in the 40s and 50s.  

Potential rainfall amounts look like this for Saturday - most of the heavier totals will probably escape to the east, but recent model runs have shifted the rain back westward just a bit. I still don't think areas west of Hays or Dodge City will get much of anything for the weekend event.

February is going to have a WARM start - much of the area will likely get some 50° weather to start next week. That's sometimes pretty hard to squeeze in at the halfway point of winter. 

Are we on track for another winter storm next week? This is something to consider as forecast models are suggesting yet another potent setup coming in from the west may favor a big surge of colder air meeting up with Gulf of Mexico moisture. 

Have a terrific day.