Hastings, NE – The air bites this morning across the heart of Nebraska. Breath turns visible under starlit skies as temperatures plunge into the 20s — a sure sign the growing season is officially over. Frost coats lawns, rooftops, and windshields, signaling a hard freeze that’s gripping much of central and south-central Nebraska through early morning.
A Freeze Warning from the National Weather Service in Hastings remains in effect until 10 a.m., covering the Tri-Cities region and extending from Grand Island through Kearney and down toward the Kansas line. Forecasters expect lows between 24°F and 31°F, with calm winds allowing the cold to settle deeply across rural valleys and open fields.
Residents are urged to protect any remaining outdoor plants and take precautions to prevent pipes from freezing. After this morning, the chill gradually eases — but it’s a clear marker that fall is giving way to early winter across the Plains.
By this afternoon, skies turn sunny with highs near 59°F. Friday will be slightly cooler, topping out around 53°F, before another rebound over the weekend brings highs back into the low 60s by Sunday. Winds remain light and dry, making for ideal conditions for outdoor projects or late-season harvest work.
Looking ahead, early November appears mild for most of Nebraska, though long-range models hint at colder air and a potential first snow chance around mid-month across the northern Plains. For now, Hastings and nearby communities can look forward to several bright, calm days — after a frosty reminder that winter isn’t far away.
