Nebraska starts the morning calm, but change is already building on the Plains. Skies remain mostly quiet near 44 degrees in Hastings before sunrise. Light winds now will not last.
Sunshine dominates today with highs pushing near 69 degrees. The air feels mild for February. That warmth intensifies Tuesday as temperatures surge toward 78 degrees. Strong southwest winds increase to 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph. Relative humidity drops as low as 15 to 25 percent.
A Fire Weather Watch takes effect Tuesday afternoon through evening. Any spark could spread quickly in dry grass. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. Areas along I-80 may see difficult crosswinds during peak gusts.
By Wednesday, February 18, the pattern flips. Highs fall to the lower 60s under sunny skies early. Clouds build Wednesday night, and colder air pushes in. Rain may mix with snow late Wednesday night into Thursday. Highs Thursday drop near 40 degrees. Breezy conditions continue, and light snow accumulations remain possible. Even minor snow in mid-February can create slick spots by early Friday.
Looking into President’s Day Week and the 6–10 day outlook, temperatures trend cooler after Tuesday’s spike but moderate again heading into the weekend. Highs rebound into the 40s. No major Ice Storm or Heavy Snow signal appears now, yet the transition from warm to winter-like conditions will feel dramatic.
February delivers whiplash across south-central Nebraska. Fire danger today. Snow chances by midweek. Stay weather-aware as this active pattern unfolds in Hastings.
