textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- There is a marginal threat of severe storms tonight generally east of Highway 281.

- Fog is expected again tonight but there are uncertainties as to how widespread or dense it will become.

- Severe storms may impact portions of the area Friday afternoon and evening.

- Snow may fall Friday afternoon into Friday night. The best chance is for areas northwest of the Tri-Cities.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 222 PM CST Thu Mar 5 2026

An upper level trough is over the western part of the country with the leading edge of the trough over the central Plains. A lee surface trough is across western Nebraska and eastern Colorado. Breezy south to southeast winds are across south central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas. Temperatures across the area are currently in the 50s and 60s. Low temperatures tonight are expected to range from the mid 30s to mid 50s. The upper level trough will move closer to the region tonight with upper lift increasing overhead. Showers and thunderstorms will develop across portions of Nebraska and Kansas tonight. Initial thunderstorm development is expected to be this evening but will mainly be south and east of the forecast area. Additional development may occur across northern portions (mainly north of the Tri-Cities) of the forecast area late tonight. Storms may become strong to severe tonight, especially south and east of the area with better instability present. Hail up to the size of quarters is possible tonight mainly east of Highway 281. Fog will again be possible (60% to 70% chance) tonight but is not expected to be quite as dense or widespread as this morning.

The upper trough will begin to move over the northern and central Plains on Friday with a cold front pushing into the area. There is still uncertainty in regards to the timing of this front and amount of heating in advance of the front. These uncertainties have resulted in a wide range of possible high temperatures for Friday across the forecast area. High temperatures across northern portions may only be in the 40s with southern portions possibly in the 70s. There is a threat of severe storms Friday afternoon and evening mainly along and east of Highway 281. Large hail and damaging winds will be the main threats. Snow is also possible beginning late Friday afternoon and continuing through Friday night across most of south central and central Nebraska and portions of north central Kansas. There is uncertainty as to how much of the area will receive snow due to uncertainties in how long the precipitation will last into Friday night as well as how fast temperatures will drop across the area. There is fairly high confidence (around 70%) that areas northwest of the Tri-Cities may experience at least a trace of snow. Generally expect any snow accumulations to be a half inch or less. Low temperatures in the 20s and low 30s are expected Friday night.

High temperatures Saturday will mainly be in the 50s with a surface high nearby. Temperatures will be on a warming trend Sunday and Monday with highs on Sunday in the 60s and 70s and highs on Monday in the 70s. A cold front is expected around Tuesday or Wednesday of next week with precipitation possible Tuesday into Wednesday.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1139 AM CST Thu Mar 5 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

Low ceilings and fog are clearing out of the area. There is some model uncertainty if the low ceilings will come back into the area this afternoon. Models are in good agreement about low clouds and possibly low visibilities coming back into the area this evening. Low clouds are expected to remain through the end of the period but will improve some after 15z Friday. Winds will generally remain out of the southeast through this afternoon and most of the overnight period with some gusts expected this afternoon. Winds will become northerly by 15z with gusts shortly afterward. Showers are also possible beginning this evening.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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