textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Hot and humid weather continues into the weekend with highs and heat index values in the upper 80s and 90s each day.

- Scattered thunderstorms possible each day mainly during the evening-overnight hours. A few storms this evening could be severe capable of producing wind gusts of 60-70mph and half dollar sized hail.

UPDATE

Issued at 318 AM CDT Tue Jun 30 2026

A few scattered storms continue to linger just north of the forecast area, though these are expected to shift northeast out of the area over the next couple of hours. South of the storms, skies are mostly clear with temperatures in the 70s. Aloft the area remains under southwesterly flow with troughing over the western U.S. and ridging over the Great lakes. The ridge will be slightly further east than on Sunday/Monday, pushing the hottest temperatures east of the area. Still, hot and humid weather is expected today as highs climb into the upper 80s to upper 90s with heat index values in the upper 80s to 90s. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop across eastern CO/western KS during the afternoon-evening hours. Plentiful CAPE and sufficient shear would support these storms becoming strong- severe as they form into clusters over time. These clusters of storms would move into southwestern portions of the area during the evening hours with the primary concern being wind gusts of 60-70mph. How long storms maintain their strength (how far into the evening/night) will likely depend on how storms cluster and organize this afternoon-evening. Storms come to an end sometime tonight with dry weather favored by sunrise Wednesday.

Another hot and humid day is expected on Wednesday with highs and heat index values in the upper 80s and 90s once again. Breezy southwest winds gusting 20-30mph are expected across central and southeastern portions of the area. Scattered thunderstorms are possible across the area during the evening-overnight hours. CAPE and shear would support a few of these storms becoming strong- marginally severe. Otherwise the forecast remains on track with hot and humid weather expected through the weekend. Scattered thunderstorm chances continue each day, primarily during the evening- overnight hours.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 242 PM CDT Mon Jun 29 2026

An upper trough is over the western half of the country with an upper low over Montana and another upper low over California. An upper level ridge is over the extends from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes. South central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas are under the transition zone between the upper trough and upper ridge. A surface low is across the area with breezy south to southwest winds. These conditions will result in temperatures heating up into the 90s and low 100s this afternoon. Heat index values today are expected to rise to around 105 to near 110 for many areas east of Highway 281 due to higher dewpoint temperatures. This area is in a Heat Advisory until 9 PM this evening.

All of this heat and moisture is expected to result in very high CAPE values this afternoon (over 1,000 J/kg to over 5,000 J/kg). 0 to 6 km wind shear will also be fairly high (25 to 50 knots). Mid- level lapse rates of 7 to 8+ degrees C/km this afternoon into this evening. A weak cold front is expected to move into the area this evening into tonight and will provide a focus and an additional source of lift for thunderstorms. Strong to severe storms may develop this evening into tonight based on the above mentioned conditions. The hindering factor in storm development across the area may be a strong enough CAP to overcome any atmospheric lift. If storms overcome the CAP, they will likely become strong to severe. The 14z HRRR shows storms beginning to develop across the area between 8 and 9 PM this evening and continuing until around 2 AM. The 12z NAM is not really showing any storm development across the forecast area (it shows development across NE Nebraska). The main hazards with any storm would be hail up to around half dollar size and wind gusts up to around 60 MPH. Low temperatures tonight are expected to range from the low 60s to upper 70s.

Temperatures will be a little cooler on Tuesday with highs in the upper 80s to mid/upper 90s. Showers and thunderstorms may develop across portions of the area beginning Tuesday afternoon. Chances will increase up to 50% Tuesday evening into the overnight hours. Some of these storms may become strong to severe in the evening and overnight hours with high CAPE values (mostly between 3,000 to 4,000+ J/kg), wind shear up to 50 knots across portions of the area, and mid-level lapse rates of 7 to 8+ degrees C/km. Large hail and damaging winds will be the main threats. Storms may develop along the stalled cold front from the day before. Some models don't show any storms. Rain and storm chances increase up to around 50% Tuesday evening and overnight. Low temperatures tomorrow night will generally range from the mid 60s to mid 70s.

Similar high temperatures will be present on Wednesday as on Tuesday. Showers and storms will again be possible Wednesday afternoon (up to 20% chance) and evening/overnight (up to near 60% chance). A few of those storms may become strong to severe but the parameters are not quite as high as the previous 2 days so not expecting as widespread/intense severe weather. Winds will strengthen out of the south on Thursday with temperatures warming up into the upper 80s to mid/upper 90s. Temperatures will heat up even more on Friday with highs in the 90s to low 100s. Temperatures have the potential to heat up even more (mainly south of I-80) on Saturday (4th of July) in advance of an approaching cold front. The degree of heating is somewhat uncertain at this point but some locations across north central Kansas could reach 105 degrees. Showers and thunderstorms may develop (especially across northern portions of the area along and north of I-80) Saturday evening and overnight. These storms may become strong to severe given high CAPE, wind shear, and mid-level lapse rates. Cooler temperatures are expected on Sunday with highs in the 80s to low 90s.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 1240 PM CDT Tue Jun 30 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions are expected outside of thunderstorms. Thunderstorms are possible around 02z to 05z. Wind shear is expected for KGRI from 03z to 07z and for KEAR from 04z to 12z. Winds this afternoon will be fairly light and variable and are expected to become southerly this evening. Winds will strengthen out of the south by 06z and will become lighter again by 12z.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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