textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Record warmth Monday as high temperatures soar into the 70s. Near-Critical fire weather conditions are also possible for at least a few hours due to low relative humidity and breezier winds.

- As a result of the unusual early February warmth, there remains the potential for ice jam flooding again Monday along our Nebraska counties residing along the Platte/Loup River systems (see separate hydrology section below for more).

- Low probability chances for precipitation (15-35%) return late Wednesday night/Thursday, though widespread or significant precipitation is not expected.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 228 PM CST Sun Feb 8 2026

A well defined upper level low can be seen in water vapor imagery this afternoon sliding across south central Nebraska. This low has forced some mid-level cloud cover across the heart of the CWA, with cameras indicating little more than virga being observed despite the light returns evident on radar. As this upper level low continues to slide southeast and exit the local area tonight, expect a few high clouds to begin to filter in across the region from the west, with these high clouds - combined with a light westerly wind - expected to hold up overnight lows a couple of degrees from this mornings near freezing start.

With a slightly warmer start to the day, modest westerly (downslope) flow, and partly sunny skies, new record high temperatures appear to be a lock for tomorrow afternoon, and raised high temperatures into the mid-70s for most locations. With these warm temperatures and a relatively dry airmass ahead of an approaching cold front, expect minimum RH values to plummet below 20 percent across the majority of the local area, prompting some fire weather concerns. Thankfully, winds - while potentially breezy at times, will diminish in the pre-frontal trough by mid/late afternoon, likely helping to limit more critical conditions. As a result, will continue to advertise near-critical fire weather concerns Monday afternoon for the entire area, but opted against any sort of fire weather headline for the time-being.

Expect the aforementioned cold front to cross the local area Monday night with little fanfare, with cooler - but still seasonably warm temperatures - settling in across the local area for Tuesday along with a breezy north wind. The seasonably warm temperatures will then likely linger through the end of the week as a more zonal upper level pattern establishes itself across the Central Plains. As a result, the subsequent upper level disturbance is now expected to pass well south of the area over the middle portion of the week, with the small pops we had in the forecast over the past couple of days continuing to be pushed farther and farther out in the period.

While some small pops creep into the area as early as Wednesday night/Thursday, the better chances continue to look towards maybe Friday afternoon/evening, albeit confidence is not particularly high due to differences in the GFS/EC as well as many ensemble members backing off on the potential for precipitation over this period. Of more confidence are temperatures, which should remain in that seasonably mild category, with most days topping out in the 50s (with low's near/slightly below freezing) - which represents temperatures around 10 to 15 degrees above normal for mid February.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 550 PM CST Sun Feb 8 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions expected through the period with just some occasional high clouds. Winds will be SWrly overnight around 5-8kt, then pick up by late Mon AM to around 10-14kt sustained and gusts near 20kt. Confidence: High.

HYDROLOGY

Issued at 550 PM CST Sat Feb 7 2026

- REGARDING LOCALIZED ICE JAM POTENTIAL ALONG THE PLATTE/LOUP RIVER SYSTEMS...MAINLY THROUGH MONDAY:

At this time, the only active/ongoing ice jam flooding we area aware of across our central/south central NE counties is just south and east of of the I-80/Hwy 281 interchange, where the Platte River has flooded ditches near the interstate. Otherwise, we are unaware of additional flooding on either the Platte or Loup river systems.

That said, with continued well-above normal temperatures (especially through Monday), ice melt and movement will surely increase across the Platte/Loup River basins, which could result in the possible formation of localized ice jams and resultant flooding. Unlike "traditional" warm season flooding from heavy rain that is typically easier to detect via radar rainfall estimation and the network of river gages, ice jam flooding is typically difficult to detect proactively/remotely (unless it occurs very near a gauge). Thus we are very reliant on emergency management, spotters etc. to keep us informed of any ice jam flooding issues.

The potential ice jam flooding concerns will continue to be highlighted in both our Hazardous Weather Outlook (HWOGID) as well as in a Special Weather Statement (SPSGID), with flood advisories and warnings being reserved for known flooding reported across the local area.

CLIMATE

Issued at 230 PM CST Sun Feb 8 2026

- RECORD WARM HIGH TEMP POTENTIAL:

Another round of unusually warm temperatures is expected across the region Monday (Feb. 9). New record high temperatures are expected to be established at both Hastings and Grand Island.

- RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE | Current Forecast Grand Island, NE (GRI) Feb. 9: 70 in 1996 | 74 --------------- Hastings, NE (HSI) Feb. 9: 70 in 1954 | 74

- SIDE NOTE: Although occasional high temperatures in the 70s are not that uncommon at Grand Island/Hastings during the latter half of February, they are certainly less common during the FIRST HALF of the month. In fact, it has been 9 years now since both sites reached 70+ degrees during the FIRST HALF of February...since Feb. 10, 2017 when Grand Island soared to 77 degrees and Hastings 74 degrees.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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