textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Scattered showers/weak storms possible this evening, though any accumulations expected to be light (0.10" or less).

- Near-critical fire weather conditions possible Friday afternoon due to the combination of breezy winds and low humidity...with more significant fire weather concerns possible next week.

- Another small chance for showers and weak thunderstorms returns Saturday. Once again, any accumulations are expected to be light and severe weather is unlikely.

- Above normal temperatures will continue through the end of the forecast period with highs in the 70s and 80s. Normal high temperatures for mid-May are right around 70 degrees.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 252 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

An upper level disturbance in northwesterly flow will cross the local area tonight brining with it the chance for a few high based showers/sprinkles and possibly a weak thunderstorm to parts of the local area. Given the lack of surface moisture, little to no accumulation is expected across the vast majority of the local area, with the best chance of a thunderstorm expected during the evening hours across areas primarily southwest of the Nebraska Tri-cities.

Continued northwest flow will then persist into the weekend before an upper level ridge eventually transitions eastward across the local area by Sunday. Before the upper level ridge moves across the local area, one more notable disturbance is expected to impact the local area on Saturday brining with it a slightly better chance for showers and thunderstorms Saturday afternoon and evening (although there is a low end chance for a few pop up sprinkles Friday afternoon). While a few stronger storms with mainly gusty winds will be possible with this disturbance/surface front Saturday, limited instability will likely limit the potential for severe weather...and the local area remains outside the marginal risk from SPC. That said, a few models such as the NAMnest fire up a line of storms along the front Saturday afternoon which could eventually impact local portions of north central Kansas before exiting the area, so will need to continue to keep an eye on the timing of this system.

Thereafter...an upper level ridge is expected build across the area late in the weekend with a return to high temperatures well above normal (in the 80s) through at least the first half of next week. These warmer temperatures combined with a continued dry airmass and breezy afternoons will eventually likely result in some near-critical to critical fire weather concerns, although with fuels starting to green-up, some of this concern may be at least partially alleviated.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1237 PM CDT Thu May 7 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions expected to prevail through the period with some mid level clouds anticipated late tonight along with a few light showers or sprinkles possible.

Light west/northwesterly breezes and increasing clouds anticipated to continue at the terminals through the afternoon hours. A weak disturbance in northwesterly flow will result in a mid level cloud deck near 8KFT late tonight along with a few light SHRA's or sprinkles, but confined this possibility to a prob30 group as confidence in much if any precipitation is on the lower side. Skies should begin to clear across the area aft 08/12Z with increasing northwesterly winds...with gusts to 15+ KTS...possible by 08/15Z.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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