HASTINGS, NE – South central Nebraska will bask in classic October warmth this weekend before a breezy shift and cooler air arrive for the Columbus Day holiday. Winds are expected to increase across the region, making Saturday and Sunday warm but gusty — a heads-up for outdoor fall events, travel along Interstate 80, and anyone setting up Halloween decorations.
According to the National Weather Service in Hastings, gusts could reach 30 mph by Saturday afternoon, especially in open country from York to Kearney. Fire danger remains elevated due to low humidity and dry fields, though widespread hazardous weather is unlikely. Drivers are urged to secure loose items and use caution on exposed stretches of I-80 where crosswinds could affect high-profile vehicles.
Sunday will bring plenty of sunshine with highs near the upper 80s before a wind shift ushers in a much cooler Columbus Day. Monday’s highs will fall into the mid-60s under mostly sunny skies — ideal for parades, pumpkin patches, or a fall park stroll. Light showers may return late Monday into Tuesday, signaling the first hint of a midweek cooldown.
Residents planning outdoor holiday gatherings should prepare for changing winds and cooler air by layering up and anchoring decorations. While no frost is expected yet, early signs of a gradual seasonal cool-down are taking hold across south central Nebraska.
Five-Day Forecast for Hastings, NE:
Sat: 81/65 – Mostly sunny and breezy; gusts near 30 mph.
Sun: 86/50 – Sunny; south winds easing late.
Mon: 64/50 – Mostly sunny; cooler and pleasant for Columbus Day.
Tue: 61/53 – Cloudy; chance of showers early.
Wed: 72/58 – Partly sunny; mild and dry.
