textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Critical fire weather conditions ongoing this afternoon with a Red Flag Warning in effect until 9pm.

- Strong southwest winds of 40 to 50 MPH will result in some patchy blowing dust in spots through the early evening hours.

- A see-saw of temperatures expected the next few days. High temperatures may only reach the mid 30s for both Sunday and Monday before bouncing back above climatology towards the middle of next week.

- Very windy conditions return Sunday with gusts of 50 to 60+ MPH possible along with some light snow (snow will be focused mainly north of I-80).

DISCUSSION

Issued at 330 PM CDT Thu Mar 12 2026

Dry, windy and warm conditions persisted across the local area today. This combination has led to dangerous fire weather conditions, with multiple fires being reported across the area. Expect winds to subside 5-15 MPH through the early evening hours as the gradually shift and become more westerly in the pre-frontal trough, before increasing again during the late evening hours behind the approaching cold front. While no precipitation is expected with this approaching front, expect a distinct shift in winds and cold air advection to result in a notably cooler day across the area tomorrow.

With a cooler airmass and lighter winds, fire weather concerns should ease across the area on Friday before once again increasing on Saturday as southerly winds return, helping to advect in a warmer airmass along with breezy southeasterly winds. While fire weather concerns do not look as critical or widespread as what we have seen today, expect at least near critical fire weather concerns to return for at least part (mainly SW half) of the area during the afternoon hours.

This warm-up will be brief, however, as a stronger cold front will cross the region on Sunday bringing below normal temperatures, light snow and very strong winds to the local area. At this point, winds in many ensemble members are pointing at 50-60+ MPH wind gust potential, along with upwards of an inch of snow focused mainly north of I-80. While the winds may eventually justify a high wind warning for much of the area Sunday, winds this strong combined with any snow could cause some significant impacts Sunday, so will need to continue to closely monitor this period.

Beyond Sunday, expect a very cold start to next week with lows Monday morning likely falling into the single digits in our typically coolest spots and highs Monday afternoon once again struggling to climb out of the mid-30s. Thereafter, strong high pressure will build in across the region from the west for a potentially extended period of time - meaning dry and warm conditions potentially finishing out much of the month of March. Could even see the return of some 80 degree temperatures by next Wednesday or Thursday.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1219 PM CDT Thu Mar 12 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

High confidence VFR conditions through the period with winds being the primary concern.

Expect southwesterly wind gusts to continue to max out near 40 KTS through the afternoon hours with winds gradually shifting this evening and becoming northwest overnight, with additional northwest wind gusts of 35 to 40 KTS possible overnight. Passing high clouds are anticipated through the period with good VSBYs. While LLWS ended earlier this morning, could see some addition wind shear this evening as an anticipated cold front reaches the local area. No precipitation or CIGS MVFR or lower are anticipated with this cold front.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NE...Red Flag Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for NEZ039>041- 046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087. KS...Red Flag Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for KSZ005>007- 017>019.