textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Breezy today with gusts near 45 MPH possible.

- Scattered showers or weak thunderstorms on Saturday (mainly in the northwestern half of the area).

- More widespread rain moves through the area late Sunday through Monday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 228 AM CDT Fri Oct 23 2026

The main story today is the wind. Southerly winds are expected to gust 35-45 MPH through the late morning and afternoon hours. The northwestern half of the area has the highest chance to see peak winds exceed 45 MPH (30 to 60% per the latest NBM). Despite increasing high clouds, the wind should allow us to once again reach the upper 70s and even low 80s in some areas.

A cold front moves into the area for Saturday, resulting in a wide range in temperatures. Southeastern areas could once again approach 80, but northern areas could struggle to reach 60. Light rain showers are possible already in the morning, with increasing coverage in the afternoon. A few rumbles of thunder cannot be ruled out, but instability is far too meager to support any kind of severe threat. Areas most likely to see rain on Saturday and Saturday night are northwest of a line from Phillipsburg to Grand Island to Fullerton.

Sunday should start off dry for most of the area before additional rain moves in from the west. Exact timing remains uncertain, but many areas, especially east of Highway 281 will likely remain dry until more widespread rain arrives Sunday night and lasts through Monday. Like Saturday, a few rumbles of thunder are possible, but severe weather is unlikely. In total, areas west of Highway 281 are most favored (30 to 70%) to see 1.00" or more of rainfall.

Most of the area should dry out as the system departs on Tuesday, but another upper trough may bring another brief shot of rain to the area Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. Temperatures next week will be near or still slightly above our climatological normal for late October (highs in the upper 50s and 60s and lows in the upper 30s and 40s).

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 618 AM CDT Fri Oct 23 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions are expected through the TAF period.

Ongoing LLWS will diminish after sunrise. Southerly surface winds will increase today and gust 30-35kt through the afternoon before slowly falling off tonight.

Another round of LLWS is expected tonight into Saturday morning.

A few showers are possible in the 08-12Z timeframe Saturday morning.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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