Residents across central Nebraska will feel a sharp blast of winter by midweek as an Arctic front pushes through the state, sending temperatures plunging from mild to frigid within 24 hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Hastings, highs today (Tuesday) will reach the upper 30s to upper 40s, under partly cloudy skies. However, by Wednesday afternoon, that changes dramatically — the front will drop temperatures into the upper 20s to mid-30s, with morning flurries possible across the region.
The true cold arrives Wednesday night into Thursday morning, when lows tumble into the single digits and possibly below zero in some areas. Wind chills could fall to -10°F, particularly in open rural stretches from Grand Island to Hebron and Kearney.
Thursday will be the coldest day of the week, with highs only in the mid-20s to lower 40s, despite mostly sunny skies. Drivers should watch for frosty roads and reduced visibility from any leftover flurries Wednesday morning, especially during early commutes.
Forecasters say conditions will stay dry but cold through the end of the week, with gradual warming by Friday as highs climb back into the mid-40s. Even so, overnight lows will continue to dip into the teens, keeping frost and icy patches possible on untreated surfaces.
The Hastings NWS urges residents to limit time outdoors, bundle up pets, and check heating systems before the coldest air moves in. Farmers and ranchers should also prepare for hard freezes and ensure livestock have adequate shelter.
How are you preparing for this first Arctic blast of December? Share your tips for staying warm in the comments below.
