Forecast Discussion
NWS Omaha/Valley, NE

984
FXUS63 KOAX 182310
AFDOAX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
610 PM CDT Wed Mar 18 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Well-above normal temperatures continue through Saturday.
  Highs today reach the 60s to mid 70s over our far southwest
  with a few clouds.

- Temperatures warm to the 80s for much of the area Friday and
  Saturday, and a few records could be broken.

- Areas of very high to potentially extreme fire danger are
  forecast for portions of the area Friday and Saturday, driven
  mainly by dry conditions.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 139 PM CDT Wed Mar 18 2026

Today and Tomorrow:

Water vapor imagery this afternoon continues to feature a strong
mid/upper ridge anchored over the CA/AZ/NV border region, which
continues spilling northwest flow into the eastern half of the
CONUS as the broad trough over it continues to translate
eastward. At the surface, we`ve been feeling every bit of the
warm front that pushed east of the area early this morning,
helping temperatures reach the 60s and well into 70s closer to
central Nebraska. Overnight, a weak surface low and associated
shortwave will glance the northeast portion of the forecast
area, bringing low-end chances (less than 10% chance) for a
sprinkle or two up in northeast Nebraska into Iowa. Generally
quiet winds are set to continue through tomorrow, where an
equally beautiful day is set to spoil us, with winds out of the
northwest. Some lower-level cloud cover will linger from the
early morning hours across northeast Nebraska into Iowa, while
mostly clear skies remain over the rest of the area.

Friday and Beyond:

Friday into the weekend, the main mid/upper pattern begins to
flatten out while most model solutions keep the remnants anchored
over the desert southwest before it is replaced by potentially
another ridge next work week. Before it does so, warm conditions are
set to hit to maximize Friday and Saturday, where record high
temperatures are in striking distance thanks to the overspreading of
the low-level thermal ridge that had been hanging out over the High
Plains. Highs are set to reach the 70s and 80s Friday, before
topping out in the mid-to-upper 80s to even 90 degrees Saturday
(wow!). As the same time that temperatures rise, humidity values
will be dropping, down into the 15-25% range for eastern Nebraska
while Iowa still holds onto some values in the 30s at their lowest.
Winds will be of concern, but certainly not as much as they have
been recently. Gusts of 20-30 mph Friday will increase to 25-35 mph
at their strongest Saturday, combining with the dry weather to
create very high to extreme fire danger.

The main mechanism that will flatten the pattern arrives in the form
of a shortwave late Saturday into Sunday, slightly increasing winds
in anticipation of its arrival before greatly increasing SUnday when
it brings cooler air southward. Though still above normal,
temperatures will be knocked down into the 50s and 60s Sunday, and
into the 50s completely Monday. With poor sourcing for any decent
columnar moisture, dry weather is still set to hold through the
extended forecast only being disrupted by quick-hitting, low
QPF chances at sprinkles as shortwaves move through Tuesday and
then next Saturday.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 605 PM CDT Wed Mar 18 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the period. Northerly winds
 may become variable for couple hours this evening before
returning to the northwest Thursday morning. Wind speeds will
remain light, likely under 12 kts, through Thursday evening.

&&

.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...None.
IA...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...Petersen
AVIATION...KG

NWS OAX Office Area Forecast Discussion

Forecast Discussion
NWS Hastings, NE

849
FXUS63 KGID 182329
AFDGID

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hastings NE
629 PM CDT Wed Mar 18 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 /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 625 PM CDT Wed Mar 18 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions are expected for the next 24 hours. Winds will
weaken this evening and be mostly variable until around 09z.
Winds will be out of the northwest at 09z then become westerly
by 18z-21z then southwest by 00z Friday.

&&

.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

NWS GID Office Area Forecast Discussion