textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Light snow possible Friday as a band of snow moves southwest across the area. Accumulations of 1" or less are expected.

- Frigid weather expected Saturday morning with temperatures below zero and wind chills in the negative 10s.

- Another round of light snow is possible Saturday afternoon/evening. Accumulations of 1" or less expected.

- Above normal temperatures return Sunday onwards with highs in the 40s/50s and lows in the 10s/20s.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 235 PM CST Thu Jan 29 2026

This afternoon/evening...

Temperatures are currently sitting in the 20s to 30s this afternoon. A few lingering snow showers are dissipating across southeastern portions of the area. A few additional snow showers may develop/impact areas mainly along/north of Interstate 80 through the evening hours. Little if any accumulation (up to a couple of tenths) is expected with these showers.

Tonight-Saturday...

Another round of snow showers/bands develops overnight across northern Nebraska as troughing deepens over the central U.S. This snow will enter northern portions of the area during the early morning hours on Friday. Around sunrise, areas most favored to see snow will be along and northeast of the Tri-Cities. Snow will steadily shift southwest across the area Friday morning- afternoon as an arctic high moves into the area. Any remaining snow is favored to exit far southwestern portions of the area during the late afternoon-early evening hours. Cloud coverage and increasing cold air advection Friday afternoon will confine highs to the teens (northeast) and 20s (southwest).

Skies clear and winds decrease Friday night-Saturday morning under the high pressure system. This will result in favorable conditions for temperatures to drop below zero Saturday morning. Light winds should keep wind chills in the negative teens, and just shy of "official" advisory criteria. Stronger winds look to arrive in the mid-late morning hours, just past the coldest temperatures and avoiding more frigid wind chills. Southerly flow strengthens on Saturday ahead of an approaching clipper system, allowing highs to reach the 20s despite the cold start.

As the clipper system moves into the area Saturday afternoon, it will bring another chance for light snow to the area. This band of snow will moves west to east across the area. There remains some uncertainty in regards to how widespread and how far south this band of snow develops. The 12z ECMWF shows a more robust band that impacts all of our Nebraska counties and portions of north-central Kansas, whereas the NAM and GFS keep snow across northern portions of the area or even north of the area entirely. Either way, any snow that falls in this band will be light, with accumulations generally under an inch. Any lingering snow would exit eastern portions of the area by the late evening hours.

Sunday Onwards...

Ridging builds over the Rockies and Plains on Sunday and Monday allowing temperatures to climb above above normal, in the 40s and 50s. A passing disturbance brings a low (15-20%) chance for precip on Tuesday, though the best chances look to be east of the area at this time. Otherwise northwesterly flow-ridging is expected through the end of the forecast period/end of next week. Highs will generally be in the 40s and 50s, with lows in the 10s/20s.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1127 PM CST Thu Jan 29 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

MVFR and possibly IFR ceilings are expected to impact the area by around 09z and continue until around 15z to 19z. Light snow showers may impact the area overnight but the highest chance of snow will be from 13z to 19z. The snow and low ceilings are expected to be out of the area by 21z.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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