Cozad, Nebraska 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

144
FXUS63 KGID 191718
AFDGID

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hastings NE
1218 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

...AVIATION/CLIMATE UPDATE...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Unseasonable record-breaking warmth continues through
  Saturday.

- A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for Saturday and Saturday
  night.

- Dry conditions are favored to continue through the end of
  March.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 300 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

The only major update overnight was the introduction of a Fire
Weather Watch for Saturday.

Despite the extreme warmth and dryness, winds today and Friday
should remain light enough to escape any significant fire
concerns. That changes on Saturday as southwesterly winds
increase ahead of an approaching cold front. There is still some
uncertainty on exact extent/magnitude of the wind, but the EPS
ensemble has gusts across the entire area near or above 25 MPH
during the afternoon. Humidity is no question. Temperatures in
the upper 80s and 90s will push humidity to 10-15% for much of
the region, and some western areas could see humidity dip into
the single digits.

Additionally, the cold front will move through the area Saturday
evening into Saturday night, potentially complicating the threat
for any fires that would develop. As such, the Fire Weather
Watch runs until 4am Sunday morning.

Temperatures briefly dip to near-normal for Sunday/Monday, but
are expected to soar back into the 80s for the middle of next
week. Dry or mostly dry conditions are still expected through
the end of March.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 322 PM CDT Wed Mar 18 2026

Temperatures this afternoon are in the mid to upper 70s under patchy
cirrus. Near-critical fire weather conditions will continue this
afternoon where gusts reach 20-25mph, but critical conditions are
not expected (other than briefly with the strongest gusts). Aloft
the area sits under the eastern edge of an upper level ridge that is
centered over the western United States with a trough over the east
coast. Lows tonight will be in the upper 30s to mid 40s under partly
cloudy skies.

Warmth continues tomorrow under the influence of ridging aloft.
Highs will be in the mid 70s to low 80s, warmest across
southwestern portions of the area. Winds remain light during the
daytime hours, keeping gusts at or below 20mph. This limits
fire weather concerns despite afternoon relative humidity values
falling at or below 25%. Ridging builds/moves over the area on
Friday, resulting in another step up in warmth/above normal
temperatures. Highs in the 80s are expected across the area.
Grand Island and Hastings could challenge record highs, see
climate section for more details. Winds remain light, keeping
fire weather concerns lower.

Saturday remains the warmest day across the forecast area under the
center of the ridge. Highs soar into the upper 80s to low 90s. Grand
Island and Hastings look to challenge both the daily and monthly
record high (monthly record 90 degrees), see climate section
for more details. Breezy afternoon winds, gusting 25+mph brings
concerns for fire weather. Afternoon relative humidity values of
10-20% would bring critical fire weather conditions of winds
are strong enough.

A shortwave trough moves into the area Saturday night, pushing a
cold front through the area. This front could bring some very light
precipitation, though the best chances look to be north/northeast of
the forecast area. Cooler but still seasonably warm weather is
expected on Sunday and Monday, with highs in the mid 50s to low 60s.
Ridging builds back over the area Tuesday and highs climb back to
the 70s/80s.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1158 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

High confidence VFR conditions anticipated through the period.

Expect some passing high clouds and good VSBYs through the
period with winds being the main focus. Light west
northwesterly winds...less than 8 KTS...are anticipated through
the afternoon hours with near calm winds expected overnight as
the atmosphere decouples. Could see some very marginal LLWS
towards daybreak Friday as the pressure gradient tightens up
just a bit, with light northwesterly winds...near 10 kts...re-
establishing themselves across the area by the late morning
hours Friday.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 1158 AM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

Potential Record Warm Maximum Temperatures:

Thursday March 19          Forecast High     Record Max/Year
Hastings                        86               84 (1921)
Grand Island                    85               86 (1921)

Friday March 20            Forecast High     Record Max/Year
Hastings                        87               82 (1939)
Grand Island                    86               84 (1921)

Saturday March 21          Forecast High     Record Max/Year
Hastings                        94               87 (1910)
Grand Island                    93               83 (1988)

Wednesday March 25         Forecast High     Record Max/Year
Hastings                        84               85 (1956)
Grand Island                    85               88 (1910)

***Note: The all-time March max temperature is 90 degrees
at both Grand Island and Hastings***

Potential Record Warm Minimum Temperatures:

Friday March 20            Forecast Low    Record Warm Min/Year
Hastings                        47               46 (2011)
Grand Island                    46               50 (1921)

Saturday March 21          Forecast Low    Record Warm Min/Year
Hastings                        48               47 (2012)
Grand Island                    47               54 (1911)

Temperature records for Hastings date back to 1907 and they
date back to 1895 for Grand Island.

&&

.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...Fire Weather Watch from Saturday morning through late Saturday
     night for NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087.
KS...Fire Weather Watch from Saturday morning through late Saturday
     night for KSZ005>007-017>019.

&&

$$

UPDATE...Mangels
DISCUSSION...Davis
AVIATION...Rossi
CLIMATE...NWS Hastings