The Setup for Freezing Rain

With the storm track appearing to likely go through Nebraska, central Iowa, and into Wisconsin we could be in for some nasty travel this weekend. The precipitation type will likely change several times Saturday and Sunday as our temperatures at the surface and overhead teeter along the freezing mark. Late in the day Saturday could be a scenario that is worse than receiving heavy snow.

The ingredients are lining up for a freezing rain event during the afternoon and evening hours on Saturday. Temperatures Saturday morning will be cold in the teens. With cloudy skies it is going to take awhile for our temps to rebound. Warmer air (above the freezing mark) higher up in the atmosphere is set to stream into the area. It will be overrunning a shallow layer of colder air (below the freezing mark). When the precipitation starts from the cloud base it will come out in the form of rain and travel through the majority of the atmosphere in the liquid form. Once it makes contact with the ground it will freeze on contact and turn most roadways into skating rinks. If you are driving this weekend and notice the precipitation change into sleet or freezing rain, be extremely cautious! -ADAM