textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- An isolated shower cannot be ruled out for Thursday, but overall dry conditions are expected to continue until early next week.

- Temperatures climb into the mid to upper 90s for Saturday- Monday. Heat index values of 100-105 are expected in many areas.

UPDATE

Issued at 322 AM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

Few changes to note regarding the forecast. Added some some fog for eastern areas (roughly 281 east) in south central Nebraska, where shallow, patchy, near ground fog has developed the past few mornings. Later today, a more expansive cumulus field is likely as a weak wave slips northwest around the high. the day is dry for almost all areas, but CAMs still suggest the push northwest of isolated showers or maybe a thunderstorms, possibly into the Hebron area late this afternoon. The forecast is technically dry but there is at least some non-zero chance late this afternoon of a minuscule amount of moisture.

Temperatures will start a slow climb into the weekend with Sunday and Monday now looking like the hottest days. Dewpoints are not "off the charts", but Heat Index values will range from 98 to 103 degrees. After Monday, a cold frontal passage will allow temperatures to settle back into the 80s along with lower dewpoints Tuesday and Wednesday.

The forecast is dry through Monday. However, there are some hints that a weak wind shift late Saturday may not be 100% dry. Again, chances are very small, and probably focused north of Interstate 80, but they may not be zero. The front Monday may be to capped to produce much in the way of precipitation. As next week progresses, chances for rain gradually increase.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 109 PM CDT Wed Jul 15 2026

Afternoon cumulus has been a bit more expansive today than previous days, and this trend is expected to continue on Thursday. An isolated shower also isn't out of the question Thursday afternoon, but the probability (5-10%) is to low to warrant a mention in the official forecast at this point.

Otherwise, ridging will keep us mostly dry and increasingly warm through the weekend and into early next week. Temperatures look to peak on Sunday/Monday with high temperatures potentially approaching 100 degrees in many areas. The current expectation is for heat index values to top out 100-105 degrees (highest in the east where dewpoints remain higher).

PoPs finally return to the forecast for Tuesday. Global ensembles then favor a pattern shift to more near or slightly below normal temperatures for the middle of next week.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 614 AM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR candidness forecast again today for Grand Island and Kearney airports. There may be a spot of fog in the Grand Island area early today so a TEMPO group for a brief period 6SM visibility was added. Otherwise look for scattered to occasionally broken cumulus clouds this afternoon. Those clouds will clear off this evening. No precipitation is forecast and winds will remain under 12kts from the south/southeast.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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