textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Frost Advisory in effect until 8am.

- Near-critical fire weather conditions possible this afternoon and Friday afternoon due to the combination of breezy winds and low humidity.

- Scattered showers/weak storms possible this evening, though any accumulations remain light (0.10" or less).

- Above normal temperatures continue through the end of the forecast period with highs in the 70s and 80s.

UPDATE

Issued at 250 AM CDT Thu May 7 2026

Aloft a trough is moving into the plains as northwesterly flow builds over the area. At the surface, temperatures are currently in the upper 30s to 40s. Westerly winds of 10-15mph, gusting around 20mph are keeping temperatures elevated this morning and preventing temperatures from truly bottoming out and reaching the freezing mark. Still, sheltered/low lying areas may get enough of a break from the wind to see temperatures favorable enough for patchy/localized frost formation. A Frost Advisory remain in effect until 8am.

After a cold start to the day, temperatures quickly climb this morning, topping out in the 70s this afternoon (warmest southwest of Tri-Cities). Winds start out the day breezy, gusting 20-25mph, but gusts decrease to 20mph or less during the afternoon. Relative humidity values fall to 15-20% across most of the area this afternoon. While winds are lighter this afternoon, gusts around 20mph will still result in near-critical fire weather conditions during the afternoon-early evening hours. A passing disturbance/shortwave moves through the Plains this evening, bringing a chance (10-25%) for scattered showers/weak storms to the area. The overall highest rain chances will be across southwestern portions of the area, though even there showers look to be fairly scattered. Accumulations from these showers/storms will be light (0.10" or less).

Any lingering showers exit the area by sunrise on Friday. Highs climb into the 70s with mostly sunny skies. Breezy northwest winds gusting 20-25mph are expected during the afternoon. Relative humidity values of 20-25 percent combined with the breezy winds will result in near-critical fire weather conditions during the afternoon-early evening hours.

The next disturbance moves through the area on Saturday, bringing scattered-widespread precipitation chances. Limited moisture return should limit severe weather concerns, though a stronger storm is possible during the afternoon near the triple point/cold front. Otherwise the forecast remain on track through the end of the forecast period. Near-above normal temperatures are expected under largely northwesterly flow aloft. Drier weather returns next week, along with breezy winds which could result in fire weather returns concerning to the area.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 252 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

An upper trough extends from the Upper Midwest to the Desert Southwest. Skies are mostly cloudy across south central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas with temperatures mostly in the 50s. Temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s tonight with clearing skies. Winds will be out of the southwest tonight ranging from 5 to 15 MPH. There is potential (around 50% to 60% chance) for frost to develop tonight mainly along and west of Highway 281, although there is some uncertainty in wind speed, moisture, and temperatures. This will likely (80%-90% chance) be the last frost/freeze potential for this season. Some isolated locations, especially across the far western portion of the forecast area, may experience temperatures as low as 32 degrees. A Frost Advisory has been issued for tonight into Thursday morning for most locations along and west of Highway 281.

Winds will mainly be out of the west on Thursday with temperatures warming up into the upper 60s to mid/upper 70s. A shortwave will move over the area Thursday night and may result (10%-15% chance) in some light rain/sprinkles across portions of the area. Winds will begin to become northerly Thursday night with low temperatures mostly in the 40s. High temperatures on Friday are expected to be similar to those on Thursday. North to northwest winds are expected on Friday. Elevated to near critical fire weather conditions may develop Friday afternoon, especially across western portions of the area. Low temperatures Friday night will again be in the 40s.

A cold front will push into the region on Saturday, but temperatures are expected to warm up into the 70s and 80s. A shortwave is expected along with the front and may result (up to around 70% chance) in showers and thunderstorms Saturday into Saturday night. There is potential for severe storms due to increase in lift, higher CAPE, wind shear, and mid-level lapse rates. Severe potential will continue to be monitored. The cold front will continue moving through the area Saturday night with high temperatures on Sunday mostly in the low to mid 70s. Winds will mostly be out of the south on Monday with temperatures warming up into the 80s to low 90s. Fire weather concerns increase again on Monday with wind gusts up to around 20-30 MPH and humidity down to 15%-20% just west of the Tri- Cities area. Similar high temperatures are expected on Tuesday.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 614 AM CDT Thu May 7 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions expected through TAF period. West-southwest winds gusting around 20kts are possible through the mid-morning hours. Winds shift to the northwest as gusts fall below 20kts during the late morning-afternoon hours. Winds become light and variable this evening and continuing through the overnight hours. Mostly clear skies are expected during the day, with skies becoming BKN during the late evening-overnight hours as scattered showers move into the area. A PROB30 group indicates the best time for scattered shower potential.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NE...Frost Advisory until 8 AM CDT this morning for NEZ039-040-046- 060-061-072>074-082>084. KS...Frost Advisory until 8 AM CDT this morning for KSZ005-006-017- 018.