textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Increased chances (around 15% to 35%) of showers and storms late tonight through Thursday morning. Highest chances will be west of Highway 281.

- There is a low chance (20%) that some of these storms (late tonight into tomorrow morning) could become severe with hail up to quarter size and wind gusts up to 60 MPH.

- Warmer and drier conditions are expected this weekend.

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 /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 1159 AM CDT Wed Aug 26 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

Light (around 5 to 10 knots) northeast to east winds are expected this afternoon then they will become more easterly this evening into tonight. Variable winds are expected by late tonight into Thursday morning followed by southerly winds by 18z Thursday (5 to 15 knots). Showers and thunderstorms may impact KEAR from 12z to 18z. MVFR ceilings may impact KEAR from around 11z to 15z. There is also a slight chance of low ceilings and thunderstorms for KGRI but there is not enough confidence to include at this time.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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