Rain is soaking south Central Nebraska, bringing an inch or more of rain throughout the area with rainy and possibly snowy conditions forecast through the weekend.

The National Weather Service in Hastings reported area rainfall mounts as of this morning:

— Grand Island airport, 0.80 of an inch.

— Hastings airport, 0.94 of an inch.

— Kearney airport, 0.71 of an inch.

— Aurora airport, 0.75 of an inch.

— Greeley, 0.63 of an inch.

— Loup City, 1.12 inches.

— Ord airport, 0.80 of an inch.

— Osceola, 0.57 of an inch.

— Wolbach, 0.75 of an inch.

— Wood River, 0.94 of an inch.

As of this morning, Grand Island has had 1.34 inches of rain for March. Average March precipitation is 2.04 inches.

Much of south Central Nebraska, including Grand Island, remains under a flood watch until later tonight, according the National Weather Service in Hastings.

With rain continuing through the day and into tonight, the flood potential is enhanced as soils are saturated and the ground is frozen in many locations, increasing the likelihood of heavy runoff into streams and creeks.

In addition, the National Weather Service reported that ice jams are still occurring along some area rivers and streams, amplifying flooding in some areas.

But much of the potential flooding will be minor and located on lowlands near creeks and streams and low-lying rural areas. The National Weather Service reports that the lower Loup River basin downstream of St. Paul has an enhanced risk of flooding due to the combination of ice jams and rainfall runoff.

A flood warning remains in effect for the Loup River near Genoa in Nance County. At 6:15 a.m., the river stage was 9.3 feet. Flood stage is 9 feet. Minor flooding is forecast as the river is expected to rise to nearly 9.4 feet by early Wednesday afternoon, with the river falling below flood stage by early Friday afternoon. The National Weather Service said the flooding is caused by a combination of ice action in the river, thawing ice and rain runoff.

Rain will continue through the weekend, though the heaviest precipitation is expected to end tonight, but temperatures will be cooler.

On Wednesday, there’s a 30 percent chance of rain with a high near 42 degrees. On Wednesday night, there’s a chance of rain before midnight, then a chance of rain and snow as the low is expected to be around 31 degrees.

There’s a chance of rain and snow Thursday with a high near 41 degrees. It will be breezy, with a north wind between 20 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. There’s also a chance of rain and snow Thursday night with a low around 30.

There’s a chance of rain and snow Friday before noon with a high of near 41 degrees. The weekend looks to be precipitation-free with highs in the upper 40s Saturday and the low 50s Sunday.

Calving season is under way, and the wet, cool weather and muddy conditions have added a degree of difficulty for producers. The wet conditions are also hampering feedlot conditions.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported recently that cattle and calves condition were rated 0 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 67 percent good and 2 percent excellent, below last year. Calving progressed to 23 percent complete.