textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Rain and snow expected today into tonight. Another round of snow possible (15% to 35% chance) for north central Kansas on Friday.

- Total snowfall of a trace to 1-2 inches expected with isolated higher amounts possible (30% chance). Some uncertainty with snowfall amounts.

- Some areas may not receive any snowfall accumulation.

UPDATE

Issued at 459 AM CST Thu Jan 8 2026

The main changes to the forecast are a slight decrease in storm total snowfall amounts, a slight increase in PoPs across north central Kansas and the area mainly along Highway 81 in Nebraska, and a slight decrease in PoPs across the far north and west portions of the forecast area. Rain is currently moving into north central Kansas. We are still expecting most, if not nearly all, of the forecast area to receive precipitation today into tonight. The area with the highest precipitation amounts still appears to be across north central Kansas and across mainly portions of south central Nebraska that are south of I-80 and east of Highway 281. There is still some uncertainty in regards to total snowfall amounts due to uncertainty in temperatures today. The current expectation for total snowfall amounts is a trace to 1-2 inches with isolated higher amounts possible. Some areas may not receive any snow. The current forecast grids have a trace to around a half inch of snow but this is on the low end of possible snowfall. However, there is still a chance (30%) of a higher amount of snow from around Plainville and Cambridge northeastward towards York. The NAM and NAMNST models are indicating widespread amounts in this area of 2 to 5 inches with isolated amounts up to around 6 inches. Most of the snowfall should be finished by midnight tonight. Snowfall remains possible (15% to 35% chance) across mainly north central Kansas on Friday, but little to no accumulation is expected.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 425 PM CST Wed Jan 7 2026

This evening through Saturday....

It's a beautiful day outside today, with near-record to record warm temperatures across the area as temperatures currently sit in the upper 50s to mid 60s (25-30 degrees above normal!). Aloft the area is under zonal to slightly southwesterly flow, with a shortwave trough currently located over Baja California. Increasing cloud coverage ahead of the shortwave trough will help keep temperatures in the 30s overnight, near climatological/average highs for this time of year!

Thursday and Friday...

The main concern/focus this forecast period is the potential for light snowfall Thursday/Friday. As the aforementioned shortwave trough ejects into the Plains Thursday morning, a band of rain will lift into the area. Rain is expected to reach southern- southeastern portions of the area around sunrise, with most of the area seeing rain by mid-late morning as rain wraps around the surface low. The heaviest rain is favored to fall across southern-southeastern portions of the area where accumulations of 0.25-0.5" are possible by the early afternoon.

Cooler air wraps into the system Thursday afternoon-evening, allowing for a northwest-southeast transition to snow. There remains a fair amount of uncertainty on how quickly this transition will occur with models ranging from the early afternoon (12z ECMWF, NAMNEST), to the evening (12z HRRR). Temperatures Thursday afternoon around 40 degrees supports the potential for dynamic cooling to result in a fairly quick transition to snow across northwest portions of the area. Another area of uncertainty is in regards to how quickly snow will accumulate. With temperatures expected to remain in the upper 30s-low 40s Thursday afternoon, most snow that falls during this time period is favored to melt (minor accumulations are possible on elevated surfaces), though heavier rates of snow could overcome the warmer surface temperatures. By the late evening-early overnight hours, any precipitation falling will likely be as snow as temperatures continue to cool. Snow comes to an end from northwest to southeast Thursday night as the low/system moves into the Midwest.

Most areas are favored to see a trace/dusting to 1" of snow, with 2" possible in locations that see a quicker transition to snow or heavier rates of snow. It is possible areas could see higher than 2" though confidence in this occurring and the location is low (10% or less) given overall forecast uncertainty. Snow will be fairly wet/heavy/slushy due to surface temperatures near-above freezing when snow falls. Though winds gusting 20-30mph are possible throughout Thursday-Thursday Night, the heavy/slushy nature of the snow will likely limit/inhibit blowing snow.

Friday will be cooler, with highs near their climatological normals, in the upper 30s to low 40s. The next disturbance moves into the Plains Friday afternoon-evening, bringing a chance for light snow to portions of north-central Kansas. Models indicate that the best chances for snow will remain south of the forecast area, though portions of Rooks/Osborne/Mitchell counties could see up to an inch of snow.

Saturday...

Seasonable weather continues on Saturday with highs in the mid 30s to low 40s. A deepening surface low over the Midwest will result in northwest winds gusting 25-35mph during the day. Additionally, scattered snow showers are possible during the daytime hours though accumulations look to be light (under 1"). Falling snow combined with gusty winds could result in a period of reduced visibility.

Sunday Onwards...

Northwest flow builds over the area on Sunday, as temperatures climb back above normal into early next week. Highs will be in the 40s and 50s, with lows in the 20s-30s. Another round of cooler-seasonable air looks to arrive during the middle of next week though this doesn't look to be associated with any significant precipitation at this time.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 535 AM CST Thu Jan 8 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

Rain is moving northwards towards the area and is expected to impact the terminals beginning around 15z. There is some uncertainty when the rain may change over or be mixed with snow but expect it to be around 18z to 21z. Rain/snow will continue until around 02z/03z. Low ceilings will impact the area around 17z and will continue until around 02z/03z. Light and variable winds will become stronger out of the north by 15z and will become gusty by 17z/18z. Lighter winds are expected by 03z.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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