Nebraska — Cold air bites at exposed skin this morning as headlights cut through clear, dry air across south-central Nebraska. Breath turns visible, and parked cars creak in the cold.
Hastings starts the day near 15 degrees, with wind chills hovering close to 3 degrees. Roads remain dry for now, but shaded areas can still hide slick spots from earlier freezing. Bundle up early, especially before sunrise.
The chill fades quickly. Sunshine dominates today, and temperatures rebound sharply into the upper 40s by afternoon. That warm-up feels dramatic after the cold start, but melting snow and ice may leave damp pavement behind. Once the sun drops, refreezing becomes a concern.
Tonight stays partly cloudy, with lows near 19 degrees. Watch bridges and rural roads late, especially where runoff collects.
Monday continues the warming trend. Clouds increase, but highs reach about 42 degrees, well above average for early February. Winds stay light, keeping travel conditions manageable. Monday night cools back to the low 20s, setting up another freeze–thaw cycle.
Tuesday brings more sunshine and a high near 43 degrees. It feels mild for winter, though piles of melting snow will linger in fields and along curbs. By Tuesday night, clouds thicken and a slight chance of light snow develops after midnight. Accumulation looks minimal, but even a dusting can create slick spots by early Wednesday.
Wednesday turns partly sunny again, with highs around 44 degrees. Any early flurries fade quickly. Temperatures remain mild through midweek before cooler nights return.
Looking ahead, national outlooks suggest near-normal precipitation and variable temperatures across the central Plains into the first week of February. Big swings remain the headline, not major storms.
Five-Day Outlook for Hastings
- Today: Mostly sunny, high near 49
- Monday: Mostly cloudy, high near 42
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, high near 43
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, high near 44
- Thursday: Sunny, high near 59
