Nebraska — A calm, cold morning settles over south-central Nebraska as the sun rises through thin clouds above frosted rooftops in Hastings. The air feels crisp and steady, the kind of chill that hints winter is waiting just beyond Thanksgiving.
According to the National Weather Service in Hastings, light winds and increasing afternoon clouds will make today feel like a late-fall pause before the next change. Temperatures rise to around 40°F, while a few evening flurries could brush across the area before skies clear again.
Thanksgiving Day looks nearly perfect for travel and outdoor plans. Skies will stay sunny and calm, with highs near 43°F and gentle winds under 5 mph. Roads across central Nebraska should remain dry, offering good conditions for travelers heading along I-80 or Highway 6.
The weather pattern begins to shift late Friday, when a developing low-pressure system approaches from the west. Clouds will thicken through the day with a 30% chance of rain, especially into the evening. That moisture could flip to light snow as temperatures tumble into the mid-20s, marking the start of a weekend cold snap.
By Saturday, brisk northwest winds bring another round of scattered snow showers and highs in the mid-30s. Even a dusting could make back roads slick, so travelers heading home after the holiday should plan for possible slowdowns.
Looking beyond the weekend, longer-range models show a strong Arctic front pushing across the Plains around December 1–5, signaling a major winter pattern shift and possibly heavier snow for parts of the Midwest.
Five-Day Outlook (Wed–Sun)
• Today: Increasing clouds, 40°F.
• Thursday: Sunny, 43°F.
• Friday: Cloudy, chance rain, 40°F.
• Saturday: Breezy, chance snow, 35°F.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, 33°F.
