textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Dry conditions remain across the full 7-day forecast with a pattern that favors above average temperatures much of next week.

- Temperatures today and Sunday will peak in the mid 40s to low 50s, later warming into mainly the 50s/60s through most of the week.

- The confidence for near-to-record high temperatures continue to increase (50-65% chance) for Christmas Day (likely the warmest day of the week).

UPDATE

Issued at 311 AM CST Sat Dec 20 2025

A cold front, in the process of dropping south and through central NE/KS this morning, will likely keep temperatures from escaping the 40s this afternoon. Winds turning north early this morning behind the front could gust up to 20-30MPH across the first half of the day, before winds become light and variable later this evening and tonight. A few clouds will shuffle in and out of the area through the day/night with surface pressure back on the rise behind the front. The broadening of a midwest centric high surface pressure center, will rearrange steady southerly warm air advecting winds for Sunday. Though temperatures may be able to climb a degree or two more for Sunday, excessive cloud coverage should likely play a greater role in keeping highs in the mid 40s to lower 50s.

The most notable change of conditions for the upcoming week will likely occur between Sunday and Monday as clearing skies work in tandem with the broad southerly flow to warm things up. In addition, the pattern aloft will begin to transition from zonal flow towards an expansive ridge, generally a more precipitation suppressive feature.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 336 PM CST Fri Dec 19 2025

As expected, southerly winds were breezy this afternoon, but nothing like experienced yesterday. Winds have gusted to near 30 mph this afternoon and high temperatures have underachieved and I dropped highs a few degrees across the area for today. Near critical fire weather conditions were present at times with RH values falling into the mid to upper 20s across portions of the area.

Tonight another cold front will move southward into the area causing the winds to become northerly. There is a small potential for some precipitation with this front further north of Nebraska, but there is not much lift and moisture to allow this to materialize for our area, remaining dry. The front will also bring a shot of cooler air that will keep temps in the 40s throughout the weekend.

As we move into the work-week, upper level ridging will begin to build in, with well above 2 standard deviations (near 3) above normal 500mb heights by Christmas Day. This ridging will aid temperatures in heating up, with temps throughout the week in the 50s and into the 60s. For our sites that we have long-term records for, at Grand Island, forecasted highs for Christmas Day are reaching/exceeding record high temperatures, this is still 6 days away, but this trend has persisted for a number of days already. At Grand Island on Christmas Day the most recent full suite of 100 models provides a 36% chance for the high temperature to exceed 65 degrees with a 74% chance that the high will exceed 60 degrees. At Hastings on Christmas Day, a 80% chance of exceeding 60 degrees and a 45% chance of exceeding 65 degrees. Bottom line, it will be very warm by the end of December standards (nearly 25 degrees above normal). For more information on current records, see the Climate section below. Winds will be relatively mild, with light winds expected for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Upper level ridging will keep it dry, with no major weather systems impacting the area through the holiday week and weekend after.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 1145 PM CST Fri Dec 19 2025

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions are likely to hold trough the period with scattered to broken cloud bases >10,000ft maintaining. 40-45kts of LLWS starting from around 240 degrees will pivot towards the north between 6-13z. Wind directions will follow suit as a cold front powers through tonight, flipping wind directions from the southwest to the north. Winds should remain fairly stable tonight between 8-15kts with gusts occasionally as high as 20kts. Gusts immediately following the front (10-15z) may increase up to 25-30kts and will gradually taper off through the rest of the day. By 0z, winds should calm and become more variable. No precipitation is expected.

CLIMATE

Issued at 311 AM CST Sat Dec 20 2025

Record High (Maximum) Temperatures |Current Forecast Grand Island, NE

December 24th: 64 in 2021 | Forecast: 60 December 25th: 62 in 1999,1963,1922 | Forecast: 64 December 26th: 64 in 2005 | Forecast: 57 ---------------

Hastings, NE

December 24th: 66 in 1933 | Forecast: 60 December 25th: 62 in 1999,1950 | Forecast: 66 December 26th: 65 in 2005 | Forecast: 58

_________________________________________________________

Record High (Minimum) Temperatures |Current Forecast

Grand Island, NE

December 24th: 34 in 1936 | Forecast: 33 December 25th: 34 in 1959 | Forecast: 40 December 26th: 38 in 1931 | Forecast: 36 ---------------

Hastings, NE

December 24th: 33 in 2005,1955 | Forecast: 34 December 25th: 34 in 1922 | Forecast: 41 December 26th: 38 in 1959 | Forecast: 37

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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