textproduct: Hastings

KEY MESSAGES

- The West Fork Big Blue River near Grafton continues to be in minor flood stage but is expected to slowly drop. This Flood Warning is in effect until 1 PM today.

- Flood warnings continue until 1 PM today for the Little Blue River through parts of Nuckolls and Thayer Counties due to flooding concerns.

- No precipitation is expected for the next 7 days (high confidence).

UPDATE

Issued at 117 AM CDT Sat Oct 3 2026

The West Fork Big Blue River near Grafton continues to be in minor flood stage but is expected to slowly drop. This Flood Warning is in effect until 1 PM today. Flood warnings continue until 1 PM today for the Little Blue River through parts of Nuckolls and Thayer Counties. Even though the Little Blue River at these locations is not currently in flood stage, minor flooding concerns continue across nearby portions of this river. Currently across south central and central Nebraska and north central Kansas, winds are out of the south at around 5 to 15 MPH. Clear skies are across the area with temperatures in the 40s and 50s. Temperatures are expected to drop into the 40s areawide overnight into Saturday morning.

Winds will strengthen some out of the south to southwest early this afternoon as a surface trough strengthens across the area in advance of an approaching cold front. Temperatures this afternoon are expected to warm up into the mid to upper 70s with sunny to mostly sunny skies. A northerly wind shift will occur this evening with cooler air pushing into the area on Sunday. High temperatures Sunday and Monday will be in the 60s and 70s. Highs mostly in the 70s with some lower 80s are expected Tuesday through Friday. Low temperatures will range from the mid 40s to mid 60s. No precipitation is expected for the whole 7 day forecast (high confidence).

DISCUSSION

Issued at 155 PM CDT Fri Oct 2 2026

After a VERY rainy few days across much of the area, a much drier pattern is now in-place. A few shortwaves will move through the region, but global ensembles have few, if any, members producing precipitation through the end of next week. This should be good news for areas with lingering flooding and for harvest operations.

Drier air allowed temperatures to dip into the 40s this morning, but temperatures quickly returned to mid to upper 60s in the afternoon under clear skies. Tonight will be a touch warmer than last night as southerly winds increase ahead of an approaching shortwave. Saturday morning low temperatures should range from the mid 40s to low 50s.

Continued south to southwesterly winds and clear skies on Saturday will promote another very effective warmup....likely into the 70s for most of the area. The NBM is on the cool side of guidance, likely due to warm- season bias correction carrying over into the the more fall-like regime we are currently in.

A cold front moves through Saturday evening, resulting in a cooler (but not overly cold) day on Sunday. Much like today (Friday), high temperatures should reach the 60s to low 70s, accompanied by light and variable winds.

Temperatures then gradually warm as we head into next week. Highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s will be common, which is slightly above our climatological normals for early October. Rain chances remain minimal (below 10%), even into next weekend (October 10-11th).

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 619 AM CDT Sat Oct 3 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions are expected for the next 24 hours. Winds will increase out of the south to southwest to around 15 knots with higher gusts (possibly up to 35 knots) later this morning into this afternoon. Winds will weaken some and become more westerly around 21z before transitioning to the north around 00z. Winds will become northwesterly at around 5 knots by 12z Sunday.

GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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