textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Multiple rounds of light snow possible Thursday-Saturday. Most areas will see less than 1", with northeastern portions of the area having the highest chance to see over 1".

- Another frigid morning on Saturday, with temperatures below zero and wind chills in the -10s.

- Above normal temperatures Sunday Onwards, with highs in the upper 30s to low 50s.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 221 PM CST Wed Jan 28 2026

This Afternoon/Tonight...

Temperatures this afternoon have a large spread from west to east and where heavier snowpack still lingers, ranging from the low 30s (east/snowpack) to the mid 50s (west). Cloud coverage will increase overnight ahead of an approaching shortwave trough. Lows in the teens are expected tonight. Patchy fog is possible across portions of north central Kansas overnight, though dense fog appears unlikely at this time.

Thursday Through Saturday...

As the shortwave trough moves into the Plains early Thursday morning, it will bring a chance for light snow to the area. Snow is likely to start during the early morning hours for areas north- northeast of the Tri-Cities (Loup City-York). The most widespread snow during the daytime hours on Thursday will be the mid-late morning hours, with snow possible (15-50%) for areas roughly along and northeast of the Tri-Cities. The afternoon-early evening looks to have a relative lull in snow outside of far northern portions of the area. Snow accumulations on Thursday remain light, with most areas seeing less than an inch of snow, though far northeastern portions of the area could see a little over an inch. Highs on Thursday will range from the mid 20s (east) to the low 40s (west).

As troughing over the central/eastern deepens, it will bring another round of snow to the area Thursday night-Friday along with a shot of arctic air. A band of snow (20-60% PoPs) will shift from the northeast to the southwest late Thursday night-Friday afternoon, as an arctic high moves into the area. Similar to Thursday, snow accumulations will be light, with most areas seeing less than an inch of snow. Highs on Friday will be in the teens to 20s, warmest across southwestern portions of the area.

Skies clear and winds become light Friday night-Saturday morning under the influence of the arctic airmass/high. This will allow temperatures to drop below zero (forecast lows -4 to -8), resulting in a frigid start to the day on Saturday. Wind chill values will sink into the negative teens, though light winds should limit how low wind chills are able to get. After sunrise, southerly flow strengthens over the area on Saturday ahead of the next shortwave trough, with highs in the 20s. The next chance (15-45%) for light snow arrives Saturday evening/night as a clipper system moves into the plains. Similar to Thursday/Friday any snow accumulations will be under an inch.

Sunday Onwards...

Temperatures climb near to above normal Sunday onwards as upper level ridging builds over the Rockies/Plains. Highs will be in the upper 30s to low 50s with lows in the 10s/20s. A passing disturbance within the broader ridging pattern looks to bring another chance for light precipitation around the end of the forecast period, though there remains a fair amount of model spread on the finer details. Looking past the forecast period, the CPC 6-10 and 8-14 day forecasts favor above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 534 PM CST Wed Jan 28 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions are generally expected although MVFR ceilings are possible beginning around 12z. Light snow showers may impact primarily KGRI from around 12z to 00z. Winds will be light out of mostly the east from now until 06z then will start to become northeast. By 18z winds will become more southerly but will be light (generally under 10 knots) and somewhat variable.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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