FXUS63 KGID 190543 AFDGID Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hastings NE 1243 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Near-Critical fire weather continues into the evening hours - Well above normal temperatures continue through Saturday with highs in the 70s/80s Thursday/Friday and in the 80s/90s Saturday. - Fire weather concerns return Saturday due to warm weather, breezy afternoon winds and low humidity. - Largely dry weather expected throughout the forecast period. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 322 PM CDT Wed Mar 18 2026 Temperatures this afternoon are in the mid to upper 70s under patchy cirrus. Near-critical fire weather conditions will continue this afternoon where gusts reach 20-25mph, but critical conditions are not expected (other than briefly with the strongest gusts). Aloft the area sits under the eastern edge of an upper level ridge that is centered over the western United States with a trough over the east coast. Lows tonight will be in the upper 30s to mid 40s under partly cloudy skies. Warmth continues tomorrow under the influence of ridging aloft. Highs will be in the mid 70s to low 80s, warmest across southwestern portions of the area. Winds remain light during the daytime hours, keeping gusts at or below 20mph. This limits fire weather concerns despite afternoon relative humidity values falling at or below 25%. Ridging builds/moves over the area on Friday, resulting in another step up in warmth/above normal temperatures. Highs in the 80s are expected across the area. Grand Island and Hastings could challenge record highs, see climate section for more details. Winds remain light, keeping fire weather concerns lower. Saturday remains the warmest day across the forecast area under the center of the ridge. Highs soar into the upper 80s to low 90s. Grand Island and Hastings look to challenge both the daily and monthly record high (monthly record 90 degrees), see climate section for more details. Breezy afternoon winds, gusting 25+mph brings concerns for fire weather. Afternoon relative humidity values of 10-20% would bring critical fire weather conditions of winds are strong enough. A shortwave trough moves into the area Saturday night, pushing a cold front through the area. This front could bring some very light precipitation, though the best chances look to be north/northeast of the forecast area. Cooler but still seasonably warm weather is expected on Sunday and Monday, with highs in the mid 50s to low 60s. Ridging builds back over the area Tuesday and highs climb back to the 70s/80s. && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 1233 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026 For KGRI/KEAR Airports: VFR conditions are expected for the next 24 hours. Winds will generally range from the north to west through 21z. By 00z, winds will become southerly to southwesterly. && .CLIMATE... Issued at 245 AM CDT Wed Mar 18 2026 As temperatures climb into the 80s later Friday and Saturday, a few record warm temperatures could be in jeopardy across the local area. Friday March 20 Forecast High Record Max/Year Hastings 82 82 (1939) Grand Island 82 84 (1921) Saturday March 21 Forecast High Record Max/Year Hastings 91 87 (1910) Grand Island 92 83 (1988) In addition, record warm minimum temperatures will also be possible Friday and Saturday. Friday March 20 Forecast Low Record Warm Min/Year Hastings 46 46 (2011) Grand Island 47 50 (1921) Saturday March 21 Forecast Low Record Warm Min/Year Hastings 48 47 (2012) Grand Island 48 54 (1911) Temperature records for Hastings date back to 1907 and they date back to 1895 for Grand Island. && .GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NE...None. KS...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Davis AVIATION...Schuldt CLIMATE...NWS Hastings