4/23/18 update

In the post I did on the 17th (read it by clicking here) the main weather maker expected was out across the Pacific at the time and it appeared that it would track farther south (abnormal for this past six months).  It did indeed track farther south and slower, but it ended up farther north than what was expected.  Still, there was widespread precipitation across the central part of the U.S..  Here is a map of precipitation the past 7 days....



Looking at today's satellite image...



The X1 will impact the central plains late Tuesday into early Wednesday. There should be quite a bit precipitation, but in general it will be on the light side.  There will be pockets of heavier amounts, but on average probably 1/4 to 1/3 inch will be the rule.  Here is the latest outlook from the Weather Prediction Center through this upcoming weekend (most will fall with this first system).



In the past few posts I referenced the "cold" soil temperatures.  As of this morning the 2 inch soil temperature across Kansas was abnormally cold.  The following map is available on the K-State weather page:



In the previous posting I did on the 17th I mentioned that the last week of April would be abnormally cool.  This first system that will bring the scattered precipitation late Tuesday/Wednesday will keep temperatures cooler than average with scattered freezing morning lows across the high plains for mid-week.  But if you look back on the satellite image, the X2 out across the Pacific will first bring a  yet another shot of cooler air by Friday (with the coldest across the midwest).   With warmer temperatures by the end of the weekend, soil temperatures will come back up, but probably still below "normal".

Beyond that system, it looks like a typical spring-like pattern will bring warmer weather next week.  There should also be an increased chance for showers and thunderstorms that first week of May.

More on that later - I'll try and update late this week.