McCOOK, Neb. – An urgent Freeze Warning is in effect from 10 p.m. this evening until 10 a.m. CDT Thursday for portions of northwest Kansas and southwest Nebraska, where temperatures could plunge to 26 degrees overnight. The National Weather Service in Goodland warns that the cold will be strong enough to kill remaining crops, flowers, and unprotected vegetation across Red Willow County in Nebraska and Decatur, Norton, Sheridan, Graham, and Gove Counties in Kansas.
According to the National Weather Service, cold, dry air behind a passing front will settle over the High Plains late Wednesday evening. Clear skies and calm winds will allow temperatures to drop quickly after sunset, with widespread frost and a hard freeze expected by early Thursday morning.
Residents across McCook, Norton, Hoxie, Hill City, and Quinter should cover or bring in tender plants, drain garden hoses, and insulate outdoor faucets before nightfall. Pet owners are advised to bring animals indoors or provide insulated shelter. The extended cold period could mark the end of the growing season for much of the area.
According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, drivers should prepare for patchy frost and icy spots early Thursday on Highways 36, 83, and I-70 corridors, particularly near bridge decks and low-lying areas. Morning commuters should allow extra travel time and use caution on rural routes.
Temperatures will rebound slightly Thursday afternoon under sunny skies, but another cold surge is expected over the weekend, keeping nighttime frost risks elevated across western Kansas and southwest Nebraska.
