textproduct: Hastings

UPDATE

Issued at 254 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

Showers are ongoing across portions of north central Kansas this morning. Aloft a trough over the Plains/Midwest is merging with a low over the Southwest. As the low/trough merges today and the resulting trough moves east across the area, rain will shift southwest across the area, exiting far southwestern portions of the area by the early afternoon hours. Where rain does fall accumulations will range from a few hundredths to around 0.25". Further north/east, a dry but seasonably cool day is expected with highs in the mid-upper 50s and partly-mostly cloudy skies.

Cloud coverage decreases this evening, with skies becoming clear overnight. Clear skies within this seasonably cool airmass will allow temperatures to fall into the 30s and bring a chance for frost to the area. There continues to be low confidence in frost potential tonight as westerly warm air advection winds increase overnight which will likely counteract/limit cooling and may prevent temperatures from falling into the mid 30s (and become favorable for frost). Areas most favored to see frost would be low-lying portions of Dawson/Gosper/Furnas counties.

After a chilly start to the day, temperatures quickly climb into the 70s on Thursday aided by westerly downslope (warming) winds. Afternoon relative humidity values fall to 20-25% across most of the area. While winds will be breezy in the morning, gusting 20-25 mph, they decrease during the afternoon which limits fire weather concerns though elevated-near critical fire weather conditions are still possible. A weak disturbance brings scattered showers to the area Thursday evening/night. Any accumulations from these showers will be light (a few hundredths).

Otherwise the forecast remains on track with northwesterly flow setting up over the area through the rest of the forecast period. Temperatures will be near to above normal, with highs generally in the 70s and 80s. Precipitation chances (15-40%) return this weekend, though drier weather resumes early next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 216 PM CDT Tue May 5 2026

An upper low is centered north of the Great Lakes over Canada with an associated upper trough extending southwest. There is another upper low centered over Southern California which is attached to the previously mentioned upper trough. Nebraska and Kansas are under the upper trough with rain showers moving across portions of the region. A surface high along with mostly cloudy to cloudy skies are across the area. These conditions will keep temperatures cooler today with highs mostly in the 50s. Showers may continue across portions of the area tonight with the highest chances in north central Kansas (portions of the area up to around 90% chance). Low temperatures tonight are expected to range from the low 30s to low 40s. Frost potential is low (20% or less) tonight despite areas reaching the low to mid 30s due to drier air expected to be in place as well as cloud cover.

The cooler airmass will still be in place on Wednesday with high temperatures fairly similar to today. Rain showers will still be possible (15% to 70% chance) on Wednesday due to increased lift from the upper trough still being over the region. Rain showers are expected to be out of the area by Wednesday night with clearing skies and temperatures dropping into the 30s (mostly low to mid 30s). There will be increased (around 40% to 50%) frost and freeze concerns for Wednesday night/Thursday morning. The hindering factor will be increased wind speeds which may result in slightly higher temperatures and/or prevent frost from developing.

The cooler airmass will depart the area by Thursday with winds increasing out of the southwest to west Thursday afternoon. Temperatures are expected to warm up into the 70s on Thursday. Heightened fire weather concerns are expected on Thursday with wind gusts getting up to near/around 20 MPH and minimum humidity values generally between 15% and 25% across the whole area. Overnight lows will be warmer beginning Thursday night/Friday morning with temperatures mostly in the 40s. Winds across the area will be in the process of transitioning to the northwest Thursday night/Friday morning. Winds will be gusty out of the northwest to north Friday morning and will decrease later in the day. High temperatures are again expected to be in the 70s. There are some concerns for fire weather on Friday due to lingering wind gusts in the afternoon and minimum humidity values possibly getting down to around 20% across west/northwest portions of the area.

A cold front will move southward towards south central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas on Saturday. In advance of the front, temperatures are expected to warm up to the 70s and 80s. There is some fire weather concern on Saturday with wind gusts up to 20 to 30 MPH and humidity down to around 25% across western and southern portions of the area. If the front speeds up, then temperatures will not be as warm. Showers and thunderstorms may develop and move across the area Saturday afternoon and evening in association with the cold front (15% to 50% chance). Cooler temperatures are expected on Sunday with highs in the 60s and 70s. Temperatures are then expected to rebound into the upper 70s to mid 80s on Monday.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 628 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions expected through TAF period. Light and variable winds become northwesterly late this morning, shifting to the west-northwest during the afternoon with sustained winds increasing to around 10kts. After sunset winds shift to the southwest and become light briefly before sustained winds of 10-15kts arrive around midnight. SCT-BKN ceilings of 080-120 are possible through the evening hours, with skies clearing overnight.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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