textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- A few flurries are possible today, mainly across southern parts of the area, but no accumulation or impacts are expected.

- Dry on Thanksgiving Day, with only a low chance for light snow on Friday in far northeastern parts of the area.

- Better chances for snow, along with strong northwesterly winds arrive late Friday night into Saturday. The combination of falling snow and wind may lead to poor visibility for those traveling.

- Sunday trending drier (but cold), but more chances for light linger into Monday.

UPDATE

Issued at 320 AM CST Wed Nov 26 2025

Sprinkles and flurries were added to the forecast for late afternoon into this evening. The southwestern half of the area is most favored to see this as a weak band of frontogenetic forcing moves through. Given relatively dry at the surface, almost no models produce any QPF (GFS being the outlier). Therefore no accumulation or winter impacts are expected.

Thanksgiving Day is still expected to be seasonably cool and dry with light winds. South-southeasterly winds increase on Friday ahead of the next system. Some flurries or light snow could clip northeastern parts of the area, but most of the area will remain dry.

Saturday is the time period to watch for travel concerns. A cold front will push through late Friday night, turning winds to the north/northwest. At the same time, lift from the upper trough will allow precipitation to develop over the center of the forecast area. Precipitation may start as rain late Friday night, but will quickly change to snow as temperatures crash Saturday morning. The combination of snow and possibly refreezing rain may lead to slick road surfaces on Saturday. Additionally, northwest winds may gust over 40 MPH on Saturday, leading to poor visibility with any falling snow. All in all, snowfall amounts are expected to be relatively light for most of the area. Northeast Nebraska is most favored to see 2-3"+, with amounts decreasing further southwest. Based on the 07Z NBM, most areas are favored to see between a dusting and 2" of snow accumulation through Sunday morning.

As mentioned in the key points above, Saturday night into Sunday are trending drier. Although it will remain cold (subzero wind chills both Saturday and Sunday nights). Another trough then may bring some additional light snow to the area Sunday night into Monday, although the lighter winds this period should help reduce the overall impact.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 230 PM CST Tue Nov 25 2025

A cold front raced across the area this morning and very strong winds are being realized in its wake. Given ample sunshine, mixing has been maximized, and numerous gusts to near 60 MPH have been observed across the area this afternoon. While winds will gradually diminish (and become less gusty) this evening, it will likely remain windy into the late evening hours, and only subside to around 15 MPH by around midnight.

With the passage of the cold front today, an overall shift in the general weather pattern is being observed across the area with generally northwest flow aloft expected to persist for at least the next week. This will result in below normal temperatures through the period with some small chances for precip returning (likely snow) Friday through Monday. At this time, the best shot for widespread accumulating snowfall appears to be Saturday, but several other small chances are expected.

Starting off with Wednesday, some models are indicating a weak upper level disturbance will slide across the area during the afternoon hours. While confidence in any precip is not high, did put some silent near 10 percent chances for precip during the afternoon hours. This would be trace amounts, and likely just a few flurries if realized.

For Thanksgiving day, not a bad day is anticipated across the area as very light winds will accompany the below normal temps in the 40s. As we transition into Friday, models have been keying in on a quick passing disturbance clipping eastern Nebraska. Models have been pretty consistent keeping precipitation out of our local area, but have some small pops in there with the focus expected to be to our east. Trace amounts of precip is all that is currently expected locally.

As we then transition into Saturday, a stronger upper level system looks to be aimed towards the local area with a cold front bringing another round of strong winds and a better potential for some accumulating snowfall. In this fairly progressive pattern, accumulations should be light, and the current forecast only has around an inch of snow for Saturday along the front. Would not be surprised for this to increase some (maybe 2 or 3" in the most favored spots?), and with the strong winds, there could be some notable impacts/reduced visibilities at times during the daytime hours Saturday.

Thereafter...temperatures really fall behind Saturdays cold front with several days of highs likely not topping freezing along with lows in the teens. There will also be additional small chances for light snow Sunday and Monday, but overall confidence is not high over this period.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 514 AM CST Wed Nov 26 2025

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

High confidence in VFR conditions through the period. Cloud cover will increase this afternoon and evening, but cloud bases should remain above 5kft. A few sprinkles or flurries cannot be ruled out, but no impacts are expected.

Northwest winds gradually taper off, becoming light and variable for this evening and tonight.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NE...None. KS...None.