HASTINGS, NE – It feels like late fall this morning across south-central Nebraska, but a deep winter chill is racing this way. Skies are mostly clear with calm winds now, but temperatures will tumble nearly 40 degrees between today’s highs and Saturday’s lows.
According to the National Weather Service in Hastings, highs near 64°F Thursday will mark the warmest stretch of the week before a sharp cold front slides south Friday. By Saturday morning, readings will plunge to around 16°F, with highs struggling to reach the mid-20s under mostly cloudy skies.
Gusty winds late Thursday and Friday could make the chill feel even sharper, especially for early morning commuters or late-night drivers along Highway 6 and I-80. The combination of strong northwest winds and dropping temps could also produce light frost or patchy ice on bridges and overpasses by dawn Saturday.
Sunday will be clear and cold, with highs near 27°F before a gradual warm-up begins Monday. Even so, morning lows in the single digits could be enough to freeze any standing moisture left from this week’s brief thaw.
5-Day Outlook (Dec. 11–15):
- Friday: Partly sunny, high 37°F, low 16°F.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, high 24°F, low 4°F.
- Sunday: Sunny, high 27°F, low 20°F.
- Monday: Sunny, high 50°F.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high 52°F.
