textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Well above-normal temperatures are expected through the weekend (possibly record breaking today), with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s and lows in the mid 60s.

- Strong southerly winds are expected today and tomorrow, with gusts around 30-35 MPH, though occasional gusts of 40+ MPH possible today (20-40% chance).

- A break from the warmer temperatures will come mid week, with highs likely returning to the 60s and 70s.

- Isolated rain/storm chances return to the forecast Monday evening, with more widespread chances Tuesday night through Thursday.

UPDATE

Issued at 318 AM CDT Sat Oct 10 2026

Mostly clear skies and strong southerly surface winds this morning will keep low temperatures relatively warm, with forecast lows in the mid 60s. This is well above-normal for this time of year (the normal lows are around 45 degrees), and may even break the record warmest low temperature for the date in Hastings (record of 59 degrees). While not out of the question, it will be harder to break the record warmest low for Grand Island, which holds at 68 degrees.

Today through Sunday will see above-normal temperatures, with forecast highs in the upper 80s to low 90s, compared to local climatology in the upper 60s. In fact, record breaking high temperatures are possible for both Hastings and Grand Island today (record sitting at 90 degrees for both locations). Along with these warm to hot temperatures, strong winds are expected today and tomorrow, with sustained southerly winds around 20-25 MPH. Wind will likely gust to 30-35 MPH, with occasional gusts of 40+ MPH possible (roughly 20-40% chance). Winds Sunday will be slightly weaker, though gusts up to 35 MPH are possible (20-40% chance), primarily in north central Kansas.

Greater uncertainty enters the forecast Monday through next week, as an upper level low approaches the area from the west (uncertainty in the depth and timing of this system). Model guidance suggests that a slow moving cold front will stall out over the area Monday and Tuesday. Depending on the strength and timing of this front, above-normal temperatures may be possible again Monday, particularly for southern portions of area. Though rain/storms are possible with this front, better rain chances come with the upper level low/trough forecast to cross the area Tuesday night through Thursday.

TUESDAY AND LATER

High temps will cool back into the 60s and 70s mid next week, and down to just the 60s late week. Things are holding pretty steady regarding next week's rain. 06z ensemble data is in agreement that a few isolated, light showers will be possible starting Monday night as our area is sideswiped by an exiting jet streak over the Midwest. The next longwave trough and its associated jets, however, look to arrive right on its heels on Tuesday, bringing more organized and widespread showers and thunderstorms late in the day. This rain looks to carry over into Wednesday as continued jet stream and vorticity advection forcing gets sandwiched over our area between the western CONUS trough and south-central CONUS ridge. While placement will need to be ironed out in the coming days, the heaviest of the rain looks to be over our southeastern forecast area.

We may also need to keep an eye on this upcoming rain event for strong to marginally-severe thunderstorm potential, particularly on Wednesday and for primarily areas south of I-80. 12z GEFS data suggests some unimpressive overlap in instability, shear, and QPF on Tuesday, but relatively higher chances for Wednesday. The SPC currently does not have us outlooked for either day, but notes that outlooked areas south of us may shift or expand in the coming days.

Finally, 13z NBM data continues to suggest overnight lows next Saturday morning (10/17) may dip into the upper 30s (roughly 30% - 40% chances). As of now, likeliest locations would be our northwestern forecast area. Let's continue to keep an eye on this for a potential first frost, but for now we are still too far out to make any official calls.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 1222 PM CDT Sat Oct 10 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions are expected through the TAF period with clear skies until a few upper-level clouds move in after dawn on Sunday. Surface winds will be strongest this afternoon (sustained of 20+ kts with gusts of 30+ kts), but remain relatively strong tonight (sustained 10 - 15 kts, gusts of 20+ kts). LLWS up to 45 kts is expected tonight. LLWS is likely to set in about an hour earlier at KGRI, and last about an hour or so longer for KGRI Sunday morning.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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