706
FXUS63 KGID 241140
AFDGID

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hastings NE
640 AM CDT Fri Jul 24 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered showers and weak thunderstorms will exit the area
  this morning.

- Patchy fog this morning and more widespread dense fog expected
  early Saturday morning.

- Hot! Temperatures will increase and be very hot Saturday
  through Monday. Sunday and Monday are expected to have heat
  indices near 110 degrees.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 300 AM CDT Fri Jul 24 2026

This morning, scattered showers are present across much of the
area along and east of Highway 281 and then in central Nebraska.
This activity is not severe, and has little in the way of
thunder with it. These showers/weak thunderstorms are expected
to exit the area to the east around or shortly after sunrise.

Areas along and west of Highway 183 in Nebraska may see reduced
visibilities this morning due to patchy fog. Some areas may see
visibility reduced to a mile or less.

Cloud cover will slowly erode today, but that cloud cover will
help keep temperatures in the 80s across the area. Warmest areas
will be across the west.

By late tonight into early Saturday, light winds, and mostly
clear skies will be prime conditions for fog and areas of dense
fog is expected across much of the area. Visibilities of a
quarter mile or less are possible.

The main story beyond the fog and showers, is the heat wave. A
heat advisory has been issued for the whole area Saturday
through Monday. While temperatures will be hot all three days,
the hottest 2 days will be Sunday and Monday and the heat
advisory may be upgraded to an Extreme Heat warning. Heat
indices on Saturday will be in the 100 to 105 range, while 100
to 110 are likely on Sunday and Monday.

As the previous discussion mentions, the upper ridge begins to
break down next week, but organized, widespread precipitation is
not expected, that being said...off and on rain chances are
present as disturbances round the top of the ridge.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1130 AM CDT Thu Jul 23 2026

Light showers linger across portions of the area late this
morning and will gradually clear from west to east this
afternoon. Like yesterday, lingering cloud cover will keep
temperatures on the cooler side...only topping out in the low
70s across much of central Nebraska. This is a large departure
from western Kansas where mostly clear skies will allow highs
to approach 100 degrees in many areas.

This evening, convection is expected to develop over western
Kansas. Initially, convective parameters would favor a few of
these storms becoming strong to severe. These storms should
generally weaken as they move northeastward into our area later
in the evening hours, but some sub-severe hail cannot be ruled
out in portions of northern Kansas. Scattered showers and
thunderstorms persist into Friday morning. In all, some
locations could see an additional 1.00-1.50", but most spots
likely will only see 0.25" or less. These showers are
anticipated to clear by mid morning, resulting in a drier and
warmer afternoon for Friday.

This warming trend continues into the weekend as upper level
ridging builds over the central CONUS. Temperatures likely reach
the 90s across the entire area Saturday, with some locations
approaching 100 degrees on both Sunday and Monday. Heat index
values near 105 degrees are likely (50% chance) in at least
some areas on Saturday, and are a near certainty (80%) on
Sunday/Monday. Some areas (especially the eastern half) could
even see heat index values exceed 110 degrees on Sunday/Monday
(40-50% chance). If these trends hold, heat headlines are likely
to be issued on upcoming shifts.

The upper ridge weakens with a few disturbances by the middle of
next week. As such, temperatures trend a bit cooler with some
chances for rain. That said, meaningful rain is far from a
guarantee at this point. Many global ensemble members maintain
dry or mostly dry conditions for the middle of next week.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 640 AM CDT Fri Jul 24 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

IFR to LIFR ceilings are present at both terminals with reduced
visibilities with patchy fog, Visibilities may drop to 1 mile or
slightly less. Fog is expected to lift later this morning with
flight conditions improving to VFR this afternoon. Cloud cover
will eventually erode at both terminals later today as well.
Tonight, fog will be a concern again, with IFR to LIFR
conditions for both ceilings and visibility at both terminals.

&&

.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...Heat Advisory from noon Saturday to 10 PM CDT Monday for
     NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087.
KS...Heat Advisory from noon Saturday to 10 PM CDT Monday for
     KSZ005>007-017>019.

&&

$$

UPDATE...Billings Wright
DISCUSSION...Mangels
AVIATION...Billings Wright