HASTINGS, NE – The air turns glassy and still tonight across the Plains — a sign of what’s coming. The wind will drop, the stars will sharpen, and by dawn, a thin coat of frost will likely glint on fields and rooftops from north-central Kansas to central Nebraska. The National Weather Service has issued a Frost Advisory from 10 p.m. Tuesday through 10 a.m. Wednesday, warning that light winds and lows in the mid-30s could damage sensitive plants left unprotected.
Breezy northwest winds will fade this evening, allowing cold air to settle over the Tri-Cities area. Rural low spots near Grand Island, Hastings, and Red Cloud could briefly dip close to freezing before sunrise Wednesday. Residents are urged to cover late-season vegetables, bring potted plants indoors, and disconnect garden hoses ahead of the chill. Farmers across the Little Blue River Valley will want to protect any remaining crops vulnerable to frostbite.
The cold start fades quickly under bright sunshine Wednesday afternoon, with highs climbing into the mid-50s. By Thursday, the region rebounds near 65°F, though frost may again form early in sheltered valleys. The late-week pattern remains mostly dry until a weak disturbance slides across the I-80 corridor Friday, possibly bringing scattered light showers.
After that, the weekend looks seasonably cool — great for outdoor cleanup or early Halloween decorating. To be fair, this isn’t a hard freeze yet, but it’s an early reminder: the first real bite of fall has arrived for Nebraska and northern Kansas.
Five-Day Outlook for Hastings, NE:
Tue: 62/37 – Sunny, breezy, then clear and cold.
Wed: 56/38 – Morning frost, sunny later.
Thu: 65/40 – Mild and calm.
Fri: 57/46 – Chance of light showers.
Sat: 62/42 – Partly cloudy, cooler breeze.
