Hastings, Neb. – Flash flooding and dangerous travel conditions are possible tonight as thunderstorms sweep across central Nebraska, setting up a stormy Labor Day weekend. Motorists should avoid flooded roads, especially along Highway 6 and low-lying areas where water can rise quickly.
According to the National Weather Service in Hastings, a Flood Watch remains in effect through Sunday morning. Some storms could produce rainfall totals over 4 inches, leading to flash flooding in Adams, Buffalo, Clay, Fillmore, Franklin, Hall, Hamilton, Howard, Kearney, Merrick, Nance, Phelps, Polk, Sherman, Thayer, Valley, Webster and York counties. Emergency managers warn that rivers, creeks, and small streams could spill over their banks if rainfall continues overnight.
Showers and storms will linger through Sunday with chances tapering by evening. Labor Day itself looks cooler and unsettled, with highs only in the upper 60s under mostly cloudy skies and spotty showers. Travelers should expect slower drive times and possible ponding on roads during peak return travel Monday afternoon.
The bigger shift comes as September begins. A surge of cooler Canadian air is forecast to sweep into Nebraska midweek, dropping overnight lows into the 50s by Tuesday and Wednesday. Daytime highs will remain seasonable, topping out in the low to mid-70s late in the week.
Residents are urged to stay alert for flash flood warnings tonight and Sunday morning. Conditions may improve by Monday evening, but the cool-down will be felt across much of the state well into next week.
Five-Day Forecast for Hastings, Nebraska
- Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms, high near 69. Chance of rain 60%.
- Labor Day Monday: Cloudy with spotty showers, high near 69.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high 74. Low near 55.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, chance of thunderstorms early, high near 88.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 87. Low around 60.
