Warmer Weather Returns Before Cooler, Wetter Pattern Next Week

Elevated fire danger persists through the weekend before a cold front brings rain and snow chances midweek.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 9:21pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting featuring a vast, open expanse of the Nebraska plains under a dramatic, cloudy sky. The natural elements dominate the scene, with minimal human structures or elements dwarfed by the powerful weather conditions.Changing weather patterns bring both risk and relief to the Nebraska landscape, as a dramatic shift from fire danger to potential precipitation looms on the horizon.Lincoln Today

After several weeks of extreme fire danger, temperatures will climb into the upper 80s and low 90s on Sunday and Monday across Nebraska, accompanied by very low humidity levels and gusty winds. However, a cold front will move through late Monday into Tuesday, ushering in much cooler and wetter conditions for the second half of the week, with chances for rain and even some snow.

Why it matters

The rapid temperature swings and changing weather patterns will impact outdoor activities, agriculture, and fire risk management across the region. The potential for significant rainfall later in the week could help alleviate the ongoing drought and wildfire concerns that have plagued the area.

The details

Sunday and Monday will bring a return to warmer, drier weather, with highs reaching the upper 80s to low 90s. However, this will also bring elevated fire danger due to low humidity levels, potentially dropping into the single digits, and gusty southwest winds. A cold front will then move through late Monday into Tuesday, causing temperatures to plummet into the 40s and 50s, with increasing cloud cover and chances for rain and even some snow showers through the end of the week. The moisture is expected to be more widespread to the east, with 0.5 to 1 inch possible in eastern Nebraska, helping to mitigate the fire risk.

  • On Sunday, temperatures will reach the upper 70s to upper 80s under sunny to mostly sunny skies.
  • On Monday, record or near-record highs in the upper 80s to low 90s are expected, with very low humidity and gusty westerly winds.
  • Late Monday into Tuesday, a cold front will bring sharply cooler temperatures, with highs only in the 40s and 50s and increasing chances for rain and snow.
  • Wednesday through Friday, multiple disturbances will bring off-and-on chances for precipitation, with the best chances Wednesday into Thursday and Thursday into Friday.
  • Easter Sunday is expected to have high temperatures near 60 degrees.

The players

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The website of KOLN, the CBS-affiliated television station serving Lincoln, Nebraska and surrounding areas.

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What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the evolving weather patterns and issue updates on the potential for severe weather, fire danger, and precipitation chances throughout the week.

The takeaway

After a prolonged period of extreme fire risk, the upcoming weather pattern shift will bring much-needed moisture to the region, though the rapid temperature swings and potential for wintry weather will require residents to stay vigilant and prepared for changing conditions.