textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Scattered showers and weak thunderstorms will exit the area this morning.

- Patchy fog this morning and more widespread dense fog expected early Saturday morning.

- Hot! Temperatures will increase and be very hot Saturday through Monday. Sunday and Monday are expected to have heat indices near 110 degrees.

UPDATE

Issued at 300 AM CDT Fri Jul 24 2026

This morning, scattered showers are present across much of the area along and east of Highway 281 and then in central Nebraska. This activity is not severe, and has little in the way of thunder with it. These showers/weak thunderstorms are expected to exit the area to the east around or shortly after sunrise.

Areas along and west of Highway 183 in Nebraska may see reduced visibilities this morning due to patchy fog. Some areas may see visibility reduced to a mile or less.

Cloud cover will slowly erode today, but that cloud cover will help keep temperatures in the 80s across the area. Warmest areas will be across the west.

By late tonight into early Saturday, light winds, and mostly clear skies will be prime conditions for fog and areas of dense fog is expected across much of the area. Visibilities of a quarter mile or less are possible.

The main story beyond the fog and showers, is the heat wave. A heat advisory has been issued for the whole area Saturday through Monday. While temperatures will be hot all three days, the hottest 2 days will be Sunday and Monday and the heat advisory may be upgraded to an Extreme Heat warning. Heat indices on Saturday will be in the 100 to 105 range, while 100 to 110 are likely on Sunday and Monday.

As the previous discussion mentions, the upper ridge begins to break down next week, but organized, widespread precipitation is not expected, that being said...off and on rain chances are present as disturbances round the top of the ridge.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1130 AM CDT Thu Jul 23 2026

Light showers linger across portions of the area late this morning and will gradually clear from west to east this afternoon. Like yesterday, lingering cloud cover will keep temperatures on the cooler side...only topping out in the low 70s across much of central Nebraska. This is a large departure from western Kansas where mostly clear skies will allow highs to approach 100 degrees in many areas.

This evening, convection is expected to develop over western Kansas. Initially, convective parameters would favor a few of these storms becoming strong to severe. These storms should generally weaken as they move northeastward into our area later in the evening hours, but some sub-severe hail cannot be ruled out in portions of northern Kansas. Scattered showers and thunderstorms persist into Friday morning. In all, some locations could see an additional 1.00-1.50", but most spots likely will only see 0.25" or less. These showers are anticipated to clear by mid morning, resulting in a drier and warmer afternoon for Friday.

This warming trend continues into the weekend as upper level ridging builds over the central CONUS. Temperatures likely reach the 90s across the entire area Saturday, with some locations approaching 100 degrees on both Sunday and Monday. Heat index values near 105 degrees are likely (50% chance) in at least some areas on Saturday, and are a near certainty (80%) on Sunday/Monday. Some areas (especially the eastern half) could even see heat index values exceed 110 degrees on Sunday/Monday (40-50% chance). If these trends hold, heat headlines are likely to be issued on upcoming shifts.

The upper ridge weakens with a few disturbances by the middle of next week. As such, temperatures trend a bit cooler with some chances for rain. That said, meaningful rain is far from a guarantee at this point. Many global ensemble members maintain dry or mostly dry conditions for the middle of next week.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 640 AM CDT Fri Jul 24 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

IFR to LIFR ceilings are present at both terminals with reduced visibilities with patchy fog, Visibilities may drop to 1 mile or slightly less. Fog is expected to lift later this morning with flight conditions improving to VFR this afternoon. Cloud cover will eventually erode at both terminals later today as well. Tonight, fog will be a concern again, with IFR to LIFR conditions for both ceilings and visibility at both terminals.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NE...Heat Advisory from noon Saturday to 10 PM CDT Monday for NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087. KS...Heat Advisory from noon Saturday to 10 PM CDT Monday for KSZ005>007-017>019.