textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Scattered to widespread showers this evening-Friday morning. Overall chances are highest along/northwest of the Tri-Cities.

- Rain accumulations range from 0.10" in the southeast to 0.5-1" or more in the northwest.

- Highs climb into the 80s Sunday onwards with scattered, low confidence chances for precipitation.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 319 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

This afternoon-Friday...

Scattered showers/storms are developing across northwest Kansas/Southwest Nebraska this afternoon as a shortwave trough begins to move into the Plains. Showers/storms are expected to gradually expand in coverage across the area this evening. Poor instability should keep any thunderstorm weak and non-severe. The most widespread chances (60-95%) for rain will occur during the overnight-early morning hours, most likely for central and northwestern portions of the area. The overall steadiest/heaviest rain will develop along and ahead of a cold frontal passage that pushes into western portions of the area during the early morning hours on Friday. After sunrise, rain diminishes along/ahead of the front as it moves across central portions of the area during the mid- late morning hours. Friday afternoon thunderstorms may redevelop along the front across far eastern portions of the area (Highway 81), through some model guidance keeps this redevelopment just east of the area. Overall rain accumulations will range from around 0.10" across southeastern portions of the area (Osborne-Hebron) to 0.5-1" across northwestern portions of the area (Cambridge-Ord). Ensemble guidance indicates a 60-90% chance for northwestern portions of the area to receive 0.5" or more of rain, and a 30-60% chance for 1" of rain. Breezy winds are expected behind the front, gusting 20-25mph. Highs on Friday will be in the mid 60s to low 70s, warmest across southeastern portions of the area.

Saturday...

Highs on Saturday will be near their climatological normals, in the low to mid 70s. A passing shortwave trough brings a chance (15-25%) for light rain to portions of north central Kansas Saturday afternoon-evening. Additionally, a few showers/weak storms that develop over western Nebraska may linger just long enough to sneak into western portions of the area before dissipating Saturday evening.

Sunday Onwards....

Southwesterly flow aloft begins to transition to ridging Sunday into early next week. Highs will climb into the 80s with breezy southerly winds. Model spread quickly increases next week as a trough moves into the western U.S. and stalls out. This could bring additional chances for storms to the area as disturbances navigate this troughing and lift into the area. Given model spread, finer details are uncertain at this time.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 632 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

Ceilings are expected to continue to decrease this evening to MVFR then IFR. IFR ceilings are expected by 06z. Ceilings are not expected to improve until the late morning hours. VFR ceilings will return by 20z. Southeast winds will become more southerly by 12z then become southwesterly to westerly beginning around 18z. Rain showers are expected first at KEAR then at KGRI this evening and will continue off and on through most if not all of the morning hours on Friday. There is a small chance of a thunderstorm impacting the terminals as well.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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