textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Highs in the 30s (northeast) to low 50s (southwest) today.

- Elevated to near-critical fire weather conditions possible this afternoon and Wednesday afternoon along/west of Highway 183.

- Arctic air returns Friday into the weekend with wind chill values of -15 to -25.

- Light snow is possible (30% north to 60% south) Friday-Saturday.

UPDATE

Issued at 335 AM CST Tue Jan 20 2026

Temperatures this morning are in the single digits and teens, under mostly clear skies and light winds. A clipper system moves into the Plains today, placing the forecast area largely in the warm sector of the system. Temperatures will depend on the exact track of the system and the location of the warm/cold front, but generally range from the upper 30s across northeastern portions of the area, to the low 50s across the southwest. Elevated to near-critical fire weather conditions are possible this afternoon west of Highway 183. If the atmosphere were to mix greater than currently forecast, a brief 1-2 window of critical fire weather conditions may develop. A cold front pushes through the area overnight with lows in the teens.

The next disturbance moves into the Plains on Wednesday as highs climb into the 40s and 50s. A cold front moves into the area during the afternoon hours. Northwest winds increase behind the front, gusting 25-40mph. Near-Critical fire weather conditions are possible during the afternoon hours west of Highway 183. While winds increase behind the front, cooler air results in relative humidity values increasing, bringing some uncertainty on fire weather concerns.

Otherwise the overall forecast remains on track. The next round of arctic air moves into the area Thursday night. Highs on Friday and Saturday will only reach the single digits to low teens. Wind Chill values Friday and Saturday mornings will reach the negative teens to negative 20s. Light snow is possible across mainly southern portions of the area Friday night, but significant/impactful accumulations are unlikely.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 314 PM CST Mon Jan 19 2026

Today through tonight...

A broad, upper trough is over the whole country except the West Coast. A surface high is centered across Kansas and northern Oklahoma and extends northward to the northern Plains. Winds across south central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas range from the northwest to southwest with temperatures mostly in the 20s. Winds will be light and variable tonight with low temperatures in the single digits to low 20s.

Tuesday through Tuesday night...

A surface trough will develop Tuesday afternoon in the lee of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and will extend eastward into Nebraska and Kansas. Winds across south central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas will strengthen out of the south to southwest at around 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to around 20 to 25 mph. Humidity values across portions of the area west of Highway 183 may get down to around 20% to 30% Tuesday afternoon with wind gusts in this area around 15 to 20 mph. This may lead to elevated to near critical fire weather conditions Tuesday afternoon across mainly western portions of Dawson County south to Furnas County. High temperatures on Tuesday will range from the 30s to the 50s with the coldest temperatures across northeast portions of the forecast area and the warmest across southwestern portions. Low temperatures Tuesday night are expected to be in the teens and 20s with winds switching to the north then to the west.

Wednesday through Thursday night...

Winds across south central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas will strengthen out of the west during the late morning/early afternoon on Wednesday then will switch to the northwest to north by evening. Fire weather concerns continue on Wednesday for portions of the area along and west of Highway 183 and across portions of north central Kansas where minimum humidity values of 20% to 25% may combine with wind gusts up to around 25 to 30 mph. High temperatures on Wednesday are expected to be in the 40s and 50s. Winds will become light and somewhat variable Wednesday night with low temperatures in the single digits and teens. Winds will begin to switch out of the north Thursday into Thursday night as a cold front moves into the area. High temperatures on Thursday are expected to mostly be in the 30s. Temperatures will continue to drop Thursday night as the front moves into the area with lows in the positive to negative single digits.

Friday through Sunday...

A surface high will dominate the region on Friday with high temperatures in the single digits to teens. Temperatures Friday night are expected to drop mostly into the negative single digits with wind chills possibly down to -15 to near -25 degrees. Saturday will warm up slightly from the previous day but highs will only be in the teens and 20s. A greater warm up is expected on Sunday although there is quite a bit of uncertainty in high temperatures. There is a chance (15% to 45%) of snow Friday through Saturday night. At this time, it does not look to be anything major.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 518 AM CST Tue Jan 20 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions expected through TAF period. Light and variable winds become south-southwesterly during the late morning- afternoon hours. Around sunset, winds shift to the west, and then northwest during the evening hours behind a cold front. SCT-BKN clouds of 10,000-20,000ft are expected throughout the TAF period.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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