textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Unseasonable record-breaking warmth continues through Saturday.

- A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for Saturday and Saturday night.

- Dry conditions are favored to continue through the end of March.

UPDATE

Issued at 300 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

The only major update overnight was the introduction of a Fire Weather Watch for Saturday.

Despite the extreme warmth and dryness, winds today and Friday should remain light enough to escape any significant fire concerns. That changes on Saturday as southwesterly winds increase ahead of an approaching cold front. There is still some uncertainty on exact extent/magnitude of the wind, but the EPS ensemble has gusts across the entire area near or above 25 MPH during the afternoon. Humidity is no question. Temperatures in the upper 80s and 90s will push humidity to 10-15% for much of the region, and some western areas could see humidity dip into the single digits.

Additionally, the cold front will move through the area Saturday evening into Saturday night, potentially complicating the threat for any fires that would develop. As such, the Fire Weather Watch runs until 4am Sunday morning.

Temperatures briefly dip to near-normal for Sunday/Monday, but are expected to soar back into the 80s for the middle of next week. Dry or mostly dry conditions are still expected through the end of March.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 322 PM CDT Wed Mar 18 2026

Temperatures this afternoon are in the mid to upper 70s under patchy cirrus. Near-critical fire weather conditions will continue this afternoon where gusts reach 20-25mph, but critical conditions are not expected (other than briefly with the strongest gusts). Aloft the area sits under the eastern edge of an upper level ridge that is centered over the western United States with a trough over the east coast. Lows tonight will be in the upper 30s to mid 40s under partly cloudy skies.

Warmth continues tomorrow under the influence of ridging aloft. Highs will be in the mid 70s to low 80s, warmest across southwestern portions of the area. Winds remain light during the daytime hours, keeping gusts at or below 20mph. This limits fire weather concerns despite afternoon relative humidity values falling at or below 25%. Ridging builds/moves over the area on Friday, resulting in another step up in warmth/above normal temperatures. Highs in the 80s are expected across the area. Grand Island and Hastings could challenge record highs, see climate section for more details. Winds remain light, keeping fire weather concerns lower.

Saturday remains the warmest day across the forecast area under the center of the ridge. Highs soar into the upper 80s to low 90s. Grand Island and Hastings look to challenge both the daily and monthly record high (monthly record 90 degrees), see climate section for more details. Breezy afternoon winds, gusting 25+mph brings concerns for fire weather. Afternoon relative humidity values of 10-20% would bring critical fire weather conditions of winds are strong enough.

A shortwave trough moves into the area Saturday night, pushing a cold front through the area. This front could bring some very light precipitation, though the best chances look to be north/northeast of the forecast area. Cooler but still seasonably warm weather is expected on Sunday and Monday, with highs in the mid 50s to low 60s. Ridging builds back over the area Tuesday and highs climb back to the 70s/80s.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1233 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions are expected for the next 24 hours. Winds will generally range from the north to west through 21z. By 00z, winds will become southerly to southwesterly.

CLIMATE

Issued at 300 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

Potential Record Warm Maximum Temperatures:

Thursday March 19 Forecast High Record Max/Year Hastings 83 84 (1921) Grand Island 82 86 (1921)

Friday March 20 Forecast High Record Max/Year Hastings 84 82 (1939) Grand Island 84 84 (1921)

Saturday March 21 Forecast High Record Max/Year Hastings 91 87 (1910) Grand Island 91 83 (1988)

Wednesday March 25 Forecast High Record Max/Year Hastings 84 85 (1956) Grand Island 85 88 (1910)

***Note: The all-time March max temperature is 90 degrees at both Grand Island and Hastings***

Potential Record Warm Minimum Temperatures:

Friday March 20 Forecast Low Record Warm Min/Year Hastings 46 46 (2011) Grand Island 46 50 (1921)

Saturday March 21 Forecast Low Record Warm Min/Year Hastings 47 47 (2012) Grand Island 47 54 (1911)

Temperature records for Hastings date back to 1907 and they date back to 1895 for Grand Island.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NE...Fire Weather Watch from Saturday morning through late Saturday night for NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087. KS...Fire Weather Watch from Saturday morning through late Saturday night for KSZ005>007-017>019.