textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Spotty non-severe thunderstorms remain possible through mid- morning, mainly southwest of a line from Holdrege to Beloit.

- Another round of thunderstorms is possible this evening, although confidence in overall coverage remains uncertain. IF storms develop they could produce severe hail/wind in the 8pm to midnight timeframe.

- Mostly dry conditions are favored Friday through the weekend, although a few isolated t-storms cannot be totally ruled out.

- Heat returns Saturday and Sunday.

UPDATE

Issued at 257 AM CDT Thu Aug 27 2026

A few thunderstorms have developed over northern Kansas early this morning. Unfortunately, near-term CAMs are not handling this very well (as has been the case for the past week or so). Nevertheless, I would expect a few additional showers and storms to develop this morning along corridor of enhanced low-level moisture stretching from SW Neb down through central KS. This is not anticipated to become severe and is favored to depart by 9-10am, at the latest.

After a mostly dry daytime, the 00Z HRRR (and a couple other members of the 00Z HREF ensemble) were very aggressive in bringing a large cluster of severe storms out of the Sandhills this evening (roughly 8pm to midnight). As such, the SPC has introduced a "Slight" (level 2 of 5) risk for severe weather (hail and wind) in our western areas. That said, this is a rather "conditional" threat and overall confidence in this forecast is rather low. This is illustrated by the 06Z HRRR run which now shows essentially zero convection over our area this evening.

Friday and Saturday are not "guaranteed" dry, but the bulk of thunderstorm activity is more favorable to our north and northwest as upper level ridging builds into the region.

Widespread temperatures return to the 90s on both Saturday and Sunday, and southern parts of the area could see heat index values reach 100-105 degrees.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 211 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2026

An upper level trough is centered over the Great Lakes region and extends over the Midwest. An upper level ridge is centered over Arizona and New Mexico and extends northward to Montana. Nebraska and Kansas are in between these 2 features. A surface high over the northern Plains extends southward to Nebraska and Kansas. Winds across south central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas are mostly out of the east to north at around 5 to 10 MPH. High temperatures today will mainly be in the 80s with mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies this afternoon.

An upper level shortwave will move over the area tonight which will bring increased chances (around 30% to 40%) of showers and thunderstorms mainly for areas west of the Tri-Cities. Although, areas as far west as Highway 281 will have a 15% to 25% chance of showers and storms late tonight. While severe weather is generally not expected with these storms, it cannot be ruled out either (around a 20% chance). Hail up to quarter size and wind gusts up to 60 MPH will be the main threats with these storms.Low temperatures tonight will mainly be in the low to mid 60s.

The showers and storms are expected to continue through the morning hours (15% to around 35% chance) on Thursday and into the afternoon. Most locations along and east of Highway 81 are expected to remain dry. High temperatures on Thursday will be in the 80s. There are some indications of some showers and storms developing across mainly western portions of the forecast area (similar areas as the previous night) late Thursday night.

The previously mentioned upper ridge to the west will shift eastward by Friday through the weekend. The ridge will have more impact over south central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas resulting in drier and warmer conditions. The warmest 2 days appear to be Saturday and Sunday with temperatures possibly ranging from the mid 80s to around 100 degrees. Temperatures cool slightly during the early to middle part of next week with the upper ridge becoming more centered over the southeast part of the country. Various upper disturbances may bring more rain and storms to portions of the area early to mid next week.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1134 PM CDT Wed Aug 26 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

Decided to remove the previous PROB30 mention at KEAR for later tonight/early Thu AM...as most models have little/nothing developing, and what does should be mainly focused just off to the west of the terminal...so this TAF forecast for both sites is dry. Kept the forecast VFR...though there is some uncertainty in that during the early morning hours Thu, as some guidance shows the potential for at least some patchy light fog. Have a 6SM mention going for now. Light/variable winds are expected to continue tonight, turning more southerly during the daytime hours...then back to light/variable for the latter portions of the period.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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