textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Cool and blustery, but dry, today. Near critical fire weather possible for far W/SW fringes of forecast area this afternoon.

- Warmer and more pleasant for Easter Sunday, esp. for the afternoon into early evening hours.

- Moderate rain chances (up to 40-50%) return on Monday night into Tuesday, with even higher chances (60-80%) forecast for later next week. Some of this activity may be thunderstorms.

- Temperatures next week appear seasonable for April, with highs most days 50s-60s and lows most nights 20s-40s. At least for now, Wednesday looks like the overall-warmest day with highs 70s-low 80s.

UPDATE

Issued at 430 AM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026

No major changes to the forecast for today. Winds were nudged up slightly to account for the expected steep low level lapse rates, deep mixing, and unidirectional low level flow. These winds will make for a chilly/blustery day as highs remain in the 50s, for most. Feels like temperatures may remain in the 30s for areas around the Tri-Cities north and east, where low clouds will be more stubborn, through midday or early afternoon. Appears any lapse rate driven afternoon showers will favor areas further N/NE of the local forecast area. Combination of gusty winds and continued dry W/NW flow could lead to at least a few hours of near critical fire weather conditions over far W/SW zones this afternoon, roughly over the same areas that had the Red Flag Warning yesterday. Temperatures should be cool enough to preclude critical-level RHs. Temperatures will drop off into the upper 20s to lower 30s tonight.

Easter Sunday still appears to be fairly pleasant, particularly for the afternoon into early evening hours, thanks to warmer temperatures and lighter winds. Also expect a lot of sunshine. Expect wall to wall 60s to around 70F for highs. Relative humidity values are lower for the afternoon hours compared to today, but winds will be lighter...so no major fire weather concerns at this time.

Temperatures cool off some for Monday, then jump back up on Tuesday and especially on Wednesday when highs climb into the 70s to lower 80s. We'll see some precipitation chances return to the area Monday night into Tuesday, but by far the highest chances this forecast period come later next week. Some of this could come as thunderstorms, but it's still far too early to determine if any of this may be strong or severe.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 229 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026

An upper trough/low is over the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains. Upper lift has increased across Nebraska and Kansas associated with the upper trough/low. This has resulted in showers, drizzle and fog developing earlier today that has cleared out of the forecast area. Winds across south central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas are out of the north with high temperatures today ranging from the 40s in the north and east to the 50s and 60s in the south and west. A surface trough/low is across western Nebraska and western Kansas which has resulted in warmer temperatures and clearing skies. Temperatures tonight are expected to drop into the 20s and 30s behind a cold front.

Nebraska and Kansas will be on the backside of the upper trough on Saturday with gusty north to northwest winds. High temperatures will mostly be in the 50s and 60s across south central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas. Low temperatures Saturday night will be fairly similar to those from the previous night with light, westerly winds. Temperatures are expected to warm up into the 60s and 70s on Sunday with the area in between 2 surface troughs. A cold front is expected by Monday with high temperatures possibly ranging from the 40s to near 70. Temperatures will warm on Tuesday with winds increasing out of the south, although there is quite a bit of uncertainty with the high temperatures due to increased lift and cloud cover. Temperatures will continue to warm on Wednesday as winds increase out of the south to southwest. Cooler temperatures are expected on Thursday due to a cold front but there is high uncertainty in regards to the high temperatures due to uncertainties in the timing and strength of the front. Precipitation chances increase again next week with the highest chances Thursday night (60% to 75% chance).

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 644 AM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

Today: There's currently a break in some low level stratus over the terminals now, but expect more to move back in from the NW by around 13-14Z. The stratus may be more prevalent at GRI than EAR. CIGs will be very near the MVFR/VFR threshold through mid morning, but should rise towards 4-5K ft by around midday. Skies should clear out this afternoon. Winds will be strong out of the NW today, sustained 15-25kt, and gusts 30-35kt. Confidence: High

Tonight: Winds will weaken quickly around sunset, but remain out of the NW to W (at around 5-10kt) overnight. Not expecting much, if any, cloud cover overnight. Confidence: High.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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