809 FXUS63 KGID 030910 AFDGIDArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hastings NE 410 AM CDT Fri Oct 3 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- A few areas of fog is possible this morning through 10AM across some mainly lower lying areas.
- Above normal temperatures continue today and Saturday (mid 80s to low 90s highs) with southerly winds increasing through Saturday.
- Gusts up to 40-50 MPH are likely Saturday afternoon and evening. This will contribute to an elevated fire weather threat.
- A few (non-severe) storms may cross into the area from the west Saturday night (10-25% chance) with even better storm chances Sunday (50-75%) and Monday (30-60%) afternoon/night.
- The best storm chances Sunday/Monday will be concentrated towards the southeast of the area.
- A cold frontal passage Sunday morning will bring cooler temperatures for the first part of next week. (upper 50s to lower 70s MON-WED). &&
.DISCUSSION... Issued at 409 AM CDT Fri Oct 3 2025
Today...
A few areas of fog will be possible this morning across some mainly lower lying areas. Any fog that develops should be cleared by 10AM. Temperature-wise, another anomalously warm day is expected as ridging remains the predominate pattern aloft. Highs this afternoon should range between the upper 80s to low 90s, around 15-20 degrees above normal for this time of year. Gusty 15-20MPH winds today out of the south may gust as high as 25MPH to 30MPH in the afternoon hours. Skies should be mostly clear with no chance for precipitation in the forecast today. Pattern wise, a Western U.S. trough will continue to close in on the Rockies, approaching the Central Plains Saturday.
Saturday and Sunday...
The aforementioned trough will help drive surface pressure falls (cyclogenesis) to the northwest of the area Saturday. This surface trough of lower pressure will help energize the southerly winds, prompting sustained winds speeds of 25-35 MPH with gusts up to 40- 50MPH during the day and evening on Saturday. Gusty winds may continue into the early nighttime hours. For more information on the fire weather potential for Saturday, please refer to the fire weather section below.
Highs Saturday are expected to remain in the mid 80s to low 90s. A cold front emerging out of the upper plains Saturday evening will eventually push down the plains and across the area Sunday morning. A few storms breaking out just ahead of the front could reach our western edge Saturday night, however, chances remain on the lower end for now (10-25%). Though higher resolution guidance from the HRRR/NAMNEST show a slightly stronger precipitation signal compared to the global models (GFS/ECMWF), the general consensus is for storms to be deteriorating in size and intensity by the time the cluster of storms arrives to the area overnight Saturday. The potential for precipitation all depends on the speed of the front and how well the limited instability field can sustain these storms.
The front on Sunday will drop temperates a few degrees, up to 10-15 degrees lower from Saturday for our most far northwestern areas. A majority of south central Nebraska will remain in the upper 70s to low 80s and up to the mid 80s for our north central Kansas areas. Winds behind the front will swing out of the North for Sunday between 10-15MPH and only gusting up to 20MPH. Southerly gusts in the morning ahead of the front could still gust as high as 25-30MPH.
The best precipitation chances for the weekend will come Sunday afternoon/night. Scattered storms and a few showers look likely to redevelop along the frontal convergence zone. Given the boundaries location off to the southeast by then, the best precipitation chances (50-75%) are reserved for mainly our southeastern half of the area. The convective environment does not look conducive enough to support any severe storms, though a stronger storm or two can`t be completely ruled out.
Monday and Beyond...
Another round of storms look possible again Monday night across the same mainly southeastern portions of the area. Coverage and precipitation amounts are not expected to exceed Sunday nights potential (mainly only 30-60% chances). Most areas may only receive 0.25-5" of precipitation through Monday night with the luckiest southeastern winners seeing up to just over 1" of precipitation. Most places north and west of the Tri-Cities should receive less than 0.25".
Temperatures Monday will be notably cooler behind the front with highs only expected to peak in the upper 50s for our far northwestern fringes up to the low 70s for our far southeastern fringes. The vast majority of the area will fall somewhere inbetween the 60s. These cooler temperatures look to stick around through Wednesday, followed by a mini warmup near the end of next week. Higher pressure will build back in after the trough and frontal passage over the weekend. A shortwave trough passage during the middle of next week will need to be monitored closely, as it could stir up a few more storms on Wednesday (30-40% chance).
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.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 1155 PM CDT Thu Oct 2 2025
For KGRI/KEAR Airports:
There is high confidence of maintaining VFR conditions through the period from mostly clear skies. Winds begin light early Friday morning out of the south and gradually speed up into the afternoon. Winds will be expected to peak between 15-20 MPH with gusts up to 25-30MPH after 18z. These gusty winds are not expected to weaken much Friday evening. The presence of a strengthening LLJ will bring back 40-50kt of LLWS starting near 3z. Precipitation in not expected.
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.FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 409 AM CDT Fri Oct 3 2025
The seasonably warm temperatures Saturday mixed with strong southerly winds will result in elevated fire weather concerns. Conditions currently look top fall just shy of critical conditions as some moisture will likely be transported up with the southerlies (50s to low 60s dewpoints), keeping min RH values between 25-45% (generally driest towards the west). Grasses are still in the process of curing/drying, though dry cropland and harvest operations could still result in some ignitions. Because of the borderline humidity and fuels, fire weather headlines are not expected at this time. Nevertheless, outdoor burning is not recommended.
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.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NE...None. KS...None.
&&
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DISCUSSION...Stump AVIATION...Stump FIRE WEATHER...Stump
NWS GID Office Area Forecast Discussion