textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- A Frost Advisory is in effect tonight into Thursday morning for most locations along and west of Highway 281.

- Light rain/sprinkles may develop (10%-15% chance) Thursday evening and night.

- Fire weather concerns increase Friday and Monday.

- Showers and storms (some possibly severe) may move across the area Saturday into Saturday night.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 252 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

An upper trough extends from the Upper Midwest to the Desert Southwest. Skies are mostly cloudy across south central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas with temperatures mostly in the 50s. Temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s tonight with clearing skies. Winds will be out of the southwest tonight ranging from 5 to 15 MPH. There is potential (around 50% to 60% chance) for frost to develop tonight mainly along and west of Highway 281, although there is some uncertainty in wind speed, moisture, and temperatures. This will likely (80%-90% chance) be the last frost/freeze potential for this season. Some isolated locations, especially across the far western portion of the forecast area, may experience temperatures as low as 32 degrees. A Frost Advisory has been issued for tonight into Thursday morning for most locations along and west of Highway 281.

Winds will mainly be out of the west on Thursday with temperatures warming up into the upper 60s to mid/upper 70s. A shortwave will move over the area Thursday night and may result (10%-15% chance) in some light rain/sprinkles across portions of the area. Winds will begin to become northerly Thursday night with low temperatures mostly in the 40s. High temperatures on Friday are expected to be similar to those on Thursday. North to northwest winds are expected on Friday. Elevated to near critical fire weather conditions may develop Friday afternoon, especially across western portions of the area. Low temperatures Friday night will again be in the 40s.

A cold front will push into the region on Saturday, but temperatures are expected to warm up into the 70s and 80s. A shortwave is expected along with the front and may result (up to around 70% chance) in showers and thunderstorms Saturday into Saturday night. There is potential for severe storms due to increase in lift, higher CAPE, wind shear, and mid-level lapse rates. Severe potential will continue to be monitored. The cold front will continue moving through the area Saturday night with high temperatures on Sunday mostly in the low to mid 70s. Winds will mostly be out of the south on Monday with temperatures warming up into the 80s to low 90s. Fire weather concerns increase again on Monday with wind gusts up to around 20-30 MPH and humidity down to 15%-20% just west of the Tri- Cities area. Similar high temperatures are expected on Tuesday.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 1237 PM CDT Wed May 6 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions are expected for the next 24 hours. Wind shear may develop and impact both KGRI and KEAR between 08z and 11z. Confidence is low so did not include at this time. Winds will generally range from the northwest to southwest and may become northwesterly again by 18z Thursday.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

NE...Frost Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 9 AM CDT Thursday for NEZ039-040-046-060-061-072>074-082>084. KS...Frost Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 9 AM CDT Thursday for KSZ005-006-017-018.