Storm Track 3 Forecast: Snow out west, widespread rain begins Thursday night

Temperatures tell the tale of rain versus snow today to the northwest.  This line has been battling it out around Goodland.  

Across the state line into northeastern Colorado, snowfall amounts, are already sitting at 4″-8″ and we are not done yet!  We will see snowfall accumulations from Goodland through St. Francis up into Dundy County, Nebraska.  

Some of this could be heavy once the ground cools to allow accumulations.  This area is where Winter Weather Alerts are in effect through Thursday evening.  I can also see a case of higher snowfall occurring near and west of Sharon Springs back west to Weskan.  

With temperatures wobbling around freezing, some sleet will also be in the mix along with rain. Travel in this part of our viewing area and points west will become treacherous through Thursday morning.  

The main piece of energy begins to kick more rain into Western Kansas on Thursday.  Temps closer to the Colorado state line will be cooler.  In the morning, some sleet and snow will mingle farther west before transitioning to all rain.  

Clouds will spread and thicken to the east.  Temperatures range from mild to chilly, still hovering close to freezing in far western Kansas.

Rain begins expanding to the east Thursday evening, spreading across the state through the night.

Widespread heavy rain will cover the Sunflower State on Friday.

The storm system will exit Saturday.  Drier air will eat away at moisture on Saturday, but northern Kansas will have the wraparound portion of this system that will still be capable of light rain. Highest rainfall potential through Saturday will be south of I-70 and west of I-135 with amounts in the range of 1″-3″.  

This range of rainfall is also possible around Wichita, Cheney Reservoir and its Watershed.  Spots that had flooding last weekend could experience it again with this system.  There will be less to the northeast.  This part of Kansas will not be able to sit under this system as long which is why the rainfall totals will be lower.  High temperatures will range from the 30s in Goodland to the 60s farther southeast.  

Sunday we will clear, and it will be a beautiful fall day across Kansas.  Temperatures warm early next week before another cold front Tuesday into Wednesday. This might be able to gather some moisture for a splash and dash area of rain.  Temps cool behind this boundary slightly, but it will not be a shocking change.

KSN Storm Track 3 Forecast from Chief Meteorologist Lisa Teachman:
Wichita:
Tonight: Partly to mostly cloudy. Lo: 42 Wind: SE/NE 5-15
Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy, breezy. 10% chance of showers. Hi: 58 Wind: NE 10-20
Tomorrow Night: Mostly cloudy, breezy. 40% chance of showers. Lo: 45 Wind: NE 10-20

Wichita Weekly
Fri: Hi: 54 Lo: 47 Mostly cloudy, windy. 80% chance of showers and storms.
Sat: Hi: 59 Lo: 39 Mostly cloudy, windy. 20% chance of showers.
Sun: Hi: 64 Lo: 41 Partly cloudy to mostly sunny.
Mon: Hi: 66 Lo: 45 Mostly sunny.
Tue: Hi: 67 Lo: 45 Mostly sunny to partly cloudy, windy. 10% chance of showers.
Wed: Hi: 62 Lo: 36 Partly cloudy to mostly sunny, windy.

–Chief Meteorologist Lisa Teachman

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