textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Near-Critical fire weather conditions possible each day across portions of the area.

- Record warm temperatures expected Wednesday with highs in the upper 80s-low 90s.

- Northerly winds gusting 35-45mph behind a cold front on Thursday.

- Cooler temperatures Thursday-Friday behind the cold front, but temperatures back above normal this weekend-early next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 130 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2026

This afternoon and Tonight...

Temperatures this afternoon are currently sitting in the 60s and 70s, warmest across southwestern portions of the area. Winds are breezy at times gusting 20-25mph. Near-Critical fire weather conditions remain possible through the afternoon-early evening hours where the lowest humidity values overlap with breezy winds (most likely along/west of Highway 183). Lows tonight will be in the 40s under partly cloudy skies.

Wednesday...

Aloft, the upper level ridge over the west moves into the Plains on Wednesday. This will result in another record warm March day across the area. Highs soar into the upper 80s to low 90s, aided by westerly downslope (warming) winds. Grand Island and Hastings could threaten daily record high temperatures: See climate section for more details. Afternoon relative humidity values sink into the teens across the area. Winds look to be on the lighter side, generally below 20mph, limiting fire weather concerns though a window of near- critical conditions may still develop (mainly along/NW of Tri- Cities). A few high based showers may develop over western Nebraska and move into the area Wednesday night, but dry air near the surface should prevent anything from reaching the surface.

Thursday...

A shortwave trough and associated cold front push through the area on Thursday. The cold frontal passage expected during the daytime hours, which will likely result in a greater spread in high temperatures than currently forecast (Upper 60s north to low 80s south). Gusty northerly winds are also expected with this cold frontal passage. The ECMWF/NAMNest/RRFS support wind gusts of 40- 45mph at times behind the cold front. This brings at least some elevated-near critical fire weather concerns to the area Thursday afternoon despite the cooler temperatures/higher RH behind the front. A few light showers are possible Thursday-Thursday night, though this looks to be fairly scattered and any precipitation that does make the ground will be very light (a couple of hundredths).

Friday Onwards...

Zonal to weak northwesterly flow aloft on Friday keeps temperatures seasonable, with highs in the 50s. Decreasing winds during the day on Friday should limit fire weather concerns despite the drier airmass dropping afternoon RH values below 20%. Ridging builds back over the Rockies/Plains this weekend, as above normal temperatures return to the area. Highs on Saturday will be in the 60s, climbing to the 70s/80s on Sunday. Above normal temperatures continue into early next week as the upper level pattern shifts to a more southwesterly flow.

Breezy winds and warmer weather results in near-critical fire weather conditions across portions of the area each day. Saturday overall looks to be the greatest overlap of breezy/gusty winds and low RH at this time. PoP chances return to the area next week with the aforementioned pattern shift, though model spread brings uncertainty to the timing/amount of any PoPs.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 1147 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions are expected for the next 24 hours. Wind shear is expected for both KGRI and KEAR until around 12z. Southerly winds will become southwest by 12z then westerly by 15z. Winds will increase out of the northwest by 18z then will weaken by 00z Thursday.

CLIMATE

Issued at 130 PM CDT Tue Mar 24 2026

Well above normal temperatures work their way back into the area for the middle of the week, peaking on Wednesday, March 25th. Record high temperatures will be threatened at both Grand Island and Hastings.

For Grand Island: Forecast high temp for March 25th: 89 Record high temp for March 25th: 88, set in 1910

For Hastings: Forecast high temp for March 25th: 89 Record high temp for March 25th: 85, set in 1956

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NE...Red Flag Warning from noon to 8 PM CDT Wednesday for NEZ039- 046-060-061-072>074-082>084. KS...None.