textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- Widespread light rainfall will taper off from west to east through the morning hours, gradually ending by the early to mid-afternoon hours. In general, another tenth to half an inch of rainfall will be possible before the precipitation ends.

- The coolest air of the fall, thus far, along with the first widespread frost of the season remains on tap for the Friday night into Saturday morning time-frame, with some scattered below freezing temperatures increasingly likely in our typically coolest spots.

- Dry conditions and moderating temperatures from 60s into the 70s return for the weekend and into next week, providing several days of gorgeous fall weather.

- Our next (and still very "iffy") chance for rain does not arrive until next Wednesday.

UPDATE

Issued at 338 AM CDT Thu Oct 15 2026

Widespread light rainfall continues across much of the local area this morning, especially for areas east of Highway 283. So far precipitation totals have been on the lighter side, ranging anywhere from a couple of tenths of an inch of rainfall, to just over an inch in a few select locations - mostly across portions of north central Kansas. While thus far there have not been any lightning strikes this morning, cannot completely rule out a few strikes based on latest SPC meso-analysis indicating a couple hundred joules of cape, so maintained an isolated thunderstorm mention through the mid-morning hours (albeit any thunderstorms/lightning will be the exception).

Otherwise, the forecast continues to look on track as the widespread light rainfall associated with the upper level low this morning is anticipated to shift east through the daytime hours. Any precip then rotating around the backside of this low and ahead of the approaching cold front should mostly dissipate by afternoon, with clouds lingering but precip generally ending from west to east before evening.

Later tonight, expect the cold front from the north to race south across the local area, with gusty north winds helping to keep the atmosphere well mixed overnight and preventing low temperatures from tanking across central Nebraska overnight. That said, surface high pressure will fill in the from the west on Friday with lighter winds and clear skies, which should allow overnight temperatures Friday into Saturday morning to plummet to near or below freezing. As well advertised the past few days, this will be the coolest airmass so far this fall, and frost advisories and possibly some freeze warnings will need to be considered on the day shift later today.

Otherwise, after a cool start to the weekend, more mild weather returns for next week with the next chance for some light precip returning Wednesday and Thursday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 200 PM CDT Wed Oct 14 2026

Clouds, scattered showers, and a few embedded thunderstorms have been on the increase from S to N today. Most areas won't see sunshine again until Friday AM. The initial wave of rain today is scattered, but there are some embedded heavier cores with a few rumbles of thunder. Latest guidance lifts this activity S to N through the remainder of the day, with perhaps some weakening with northern extent/time.

A much larger, and more persistent, shield of light to moderate rain (and again, a few embedded weak thunderstorms) will spread SW to NE across the entire region late tonight, and continue through most, if not all, of the morning hours Thursday. Not much change to expected rainfall amounts as both the latest HREF and EPS are in good agreement. Most areas will receive around 0.25" to 0.75". Very isolated higher amounts up to 1.5" will be possible, but this will be more of the exception than the rule. Coverage and intensity will taper off from SW/S to NE/N Thursday afternoon. Most areas should be done with rain by around sunset Thursday, though a few sprinkles/very light showers could linger along the Hwy 81 corridor a couple hours longer. North winds will be a bit breezy on Thursday as the entire system lifts through the Plains and into the Upper Midwest - so even when it's not raining, its going to feel quite chilly and raw. High temperatures will only be in the 50s, but it could feel like mid to upper 40s at times with the breeze. Despite clearing skies Thursday night, not expecting frost due to breezy conditions persisting all night.

Strongest high pressure of the fall season thus far will ooze into the region on Friday. This will gradually lower wind speeds on Friday, but temperatures will remain seasonably cool only in the 50s. The cool daytime, in conjunction with clear skies, weak winds along sfc ridge axis, and recent moisture will likely set the stage for widespread (perhaps significant/thick) frost Friday night into Saturday morning. Return flow will be on the increase towards dawn over the far W/NW, but damage may already be done in these areas by then. Forecast has been cooling slightly with each and every cycle, and now all but far SE zones are forecast to dip to, or just below, freezing Sat AM. As such, will likely by issuing frost/freeze headlines within the next 12-18 hours for this threat.

Temperatures will warm nicely Saturday afternoon in the dry autumn airmass...and expect further moderation to temperatures Sunday into early next week. In fact, upper 60s to upper 70s are forecast each day Sunday through Wednesday next week, with our KS zones possibly even touching the low 80s late in the period. May have another period of patchy frost to contend with Saturday night, but a steady southerly breeze should prevent another round of widespread/thick frost...and lows only warm further from there next several days. So those looking to extend the growing season should be able to get at least another week, provided protective measures are taken Fri night-Sat AM.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 623 AM CDT Thu Oct 15 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

Conditions will gradually improve through the morning hours with VFR conditions likely returning to both terminals by 15/23Z or possibly even an hour or two earlier.

Expect IFR stratus at both terminals to gradually improve over the next hour or two back to MVFR CIGS as the main shield of precipitation tracks further east. While CIGS will lift some by 15/14-15Z...MVFR stratus will linger through much of the afternoon hours before skies gradually clear toward evening. As CIGS improve later this morning, expect N winds to begin to increase, with gusts 30KTS+ possible beginning as early as 15/18Z and lingering through the end of the period.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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