Record warmth leading to both flooding, wildfire risk in Nebraska

Record warmth on Monday could lead to both flooding and wildfire danger over much of Nebraska.

Many areas of the state saw highs in the lower to mid 70s Monday, which is about 30-35 degrees above normal for this time of year. By early afternoon, several cities, including Grand Island, Hastings, Lincoln, Omaha and Norfolk had already topped their record high for the date.

That warmth came after temperatures had already been in the 50s, 60s and even 70s in some areas over the past few days. The rapid warmup has led to the threat of ice jams, with about a dozen counties bordering the Elkhorn, Loup and Platte rivers in a flood watch that was extended until noon Tuesday.

Farther west, a flood advisory was issued for some areas along the Platte River in Hall and Hamilton counties. The National Weather Service office in Hastings confirmed an ice jam on the river near the U.S. 281 and Interstate 80 interchange. The weather service said minor flooding had already occurred and was likely to continue on Monday.

The same heat that caused the ice jam risk on rivers was, combined with low humidity, raising the wildfire risk across much of the state.

The entire Panhandle as well as a large swath of north-central Nebraska is in a red flag warning Monday, meaning the risk of fires is high.

The weather service said humidity of 15%-20% combined with gusty winds, “will lead to critical fire weather conditions.”

Wildfires were reported Sunday between North Platte and Wallace and near Big Springs in southwest Nebraska.