textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Northwest winds gusting 30-45mph this afternoon, strongest along and north of Interstate 80.

- Near critical fire weather conditions possible this afternoon across southern/southwestern portions of the area.

- Arctic air moves into the area Thursday night, with wind chills of -15 to -25 degrees Friday morning. Arctic air continues into the weekend with highs in the single digits and sub-zero wind chills.

- Light snow possible (40-80%) Friday into Saturday, most likely along and south of the NE/KS border.

UPDATE

Issued at 255 AM CST Wed Jan 21 2026

Temperatures this morning are currently in the teens and 20s, under mostly clear skies. Highs today will climb into the 40s and 50s, warmest across southern and southwestern portions of the area. A cold front pushes into the area this afternoon, with gusty northwest winds moving in behind the front. Northwest winds gusting 30-45mph (strongest north of I-80) during the afternoon will result in elevated to near-critical fire weather conditions. For now, relative humidity values look to remain above 20%/Critical criteria but greater mixing/warming could result in a window of critical fire weather conditions mainly west of Highway 183. Winds decrease tonight, with lows in the teens. Thursday will be colder, with highs in the 30s and partly cloudy skies.

Otherwise the forecast remains on track. Arctic air moves into the area Thursday night, as temperatures drop into the single digits above/below zero. Cold temperatures combined with winds gusting 15- 25mph will result in wind chill values of -15 to -25 degrees Friday morning. This frigid/arctic air continues through the weekend, with highs on Friday and Saturday remaining in the single digits (wind chills remain below zero). Cold weather headline(s) will likely be needed Friday into the weekend. Light snow remains possible across the area Friday and Saturday. Areas most favored to see accumulating snow will be along and south of the NE/KS border. Any Snow accumulations could further enhance the already cold/arctic air and result in temperatures/wind chills colder than currently forecast.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 128 PM CST Tue Jan 20 2026

Today through tonight...

A big upper trough is over most of the country with an upper ridge over the West Coast. A surface trough is centered over eastern Colorado and extends into Nebraska and Kansas. Winds across south central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas are out of the south to southwest at around 10 mph with gusts up to around 20-25 mph. Minimum relative humidity values this afternoon may get down to around 20% to 25% from Dawson County south to Furnas County. This may create near critical fire weather conditions this afternoon across this area. High temperatures this afternoon are expected to range from the upper 38s across far northeast portions of the forecast area to the low to mid 50s across western and southern portions of the forecast area. A northwest wind shift with increased winds is expected to move into area area this evening into tonight. Enhanced upper lift may also accompany this wind shift. This may result in brief, light snow showers across portions of the area this evening. Winds will become westerly and weaken later in the night with low temperatures in the teens and 20s.

Wednesday through Wednesday night...

Winds across south central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas will initially increase out of the southwest to west on Wednesday at 15 to 30 mph sustained with gusts possibly up to 25 to 45 mph. Winds will then briefly increase out of the northwest then will weaken by the evening out of the north. Humidity values generally along and west of Highway 183 Wednesday afternoon will get down to around 20% to 25%. This may lead to near critical to critical fire weather conditions. High temperatures on Wednesday are expected to warm up into the 40s and 50s. Low temperatures Wednesday night will generally range from around 10 to 19 degrees with light and variable winds.

Thursday through Saturday night...

A cold front with northerly winds will begin pushing into the area on Thursday. High temperatures on Thursday are expected to mainly be in the 30s. The cold front will continue pushing through the area Thursday night with temperatures dropping into the positive to negative single digits. Wind chills of around -10 to near -25 degrees will be possible Thursday night into Friday morning. The cold air will continue to impact the area with high temperatures on Friday ranging only from the single digits to teens. Winds will become more southerly Friday night with low temperatures in the negative single digits. Wind chills Friday night will mostly be in the negative teens and -20 to near -25 degrees in some spots. There is quite a bit of uncertainty on high temperatures for Saturday depending on the location of the surface high. At this time, expecting highs to be around 10 to 17 degrees on Saturday. There is some uncertainty in regards to low temperatures Saturday night, but at this time, expecting lows to be in the negative single digits. A few isolated locations could have wind chills as low as -20 Saturday night but mostly expect wind chills in the negative teens. A storm system may impact the area with snow Friday and Saturday although there is still quite a bit of uncertainty with regards to snowfall amounts.

Sunday through Monday night...

Generally expect temperatures to increase Sunday and Monday although there remains quite a bit of uncertainty. This same trend is expected for low temperatures Sunday night and Monday night. At this time, expecting Sunday and Monday to be dry.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 1127 AM CST Wed Jan 21 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

Northwest winds increase this afternoon, with gusts over 35kts at times. Winds taper off this evening and become light/variable overnight.

High confidence in VFR conditions through the period.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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