Record highs, strong winds, high fire danger, and severe weather are all a part of the forecast...and that’s just for today.

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - Today should by far be the most active part of the forecast. The day is starting off overcast with some light for and areas of drizzle in the northeastern half of the area. Farther southwest, the sun is out. We will see clearing skies from southwest to northeast as a warm front lifts northeast through the area. Winds are strong and will remain strong today both ahead of and behind a cold front that pushes eastward later today. Southeast winds will turn more southerly just ahead of the front at 15 to 30 mph and gusts to 45 mph. It will also be quite warm ahead of the front with highs warm up into the upper 70s and 80s. Some may get to 90° in the southeast. Record high temperatures will be possible today. Once the cold front comes through, temperatures will start to drop off as winds turn northwesterly at 20 to 35 mph and gusts to 45 mph. The front should pass through the Tri-Cities around the mid to late afternoon. The cold front could be a focal point for thunderstorms to develop during the late afternoon. Some isolated supercell thunderstorms may develop in far Eastern Nebraska and into Iowa where there is more of a threat of tornadoes that will possibly be strong. The line of thunderstorms that will develop sometime between the late afternoon and early to mid evening hours will contain more of a threat of damaging wind gusts as well as isolated large hail and perhaps a tornado. The chance will be greater as you go to the east with only a small chance in the Tri-Cities. The strong northwest winds behind the cold front will continue overnight, drawing in colder temperatures. There is a small chance of some very light rain and possible snow overnight, but not much is expected. By tomorrow morning, low temperatures will be down into the 20s and low/mid 30s (warmest east).

Wednesday will be a much chillier day with strong northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts to 40 mph. Sun will gradually come out as skies clear up. We’ll see highs in the 40 and lower 50s. Winds will lighten up a big Wednesday night, but will still be breezy. With mostly clear skies, temperatures will dip back into the upper 10s and low to mid 20s. Thursday will be blustery again out of the west northwest at 15 to 25 mph. Under mostly sunny skies, temperatures will be a bit milder with highs in the upper 40s north to the lower 60s south. Both days will likely still feature a higher threat for wildfires.

Friday and Saturday won’t be as windy, but may still be a bit breezy. Temperatures will still be a little cool for this time of the year under partly to mostly sunny skies. Highs on Friday will range from the upper 40s to the lower 60s again. Highs on Saturday will mostly be in the 50s.

Easter Sunday has the chance to be interesting, although the majority of forecast models have precipitation missing most of our area. There is a chance for rain and snow, but for now we’ll keep that chance on the low side. For now, I have highs from the upper 40s northeast to the mid 60s southeast. But if the moisture does occur, it’ll likely be much cooler. It’ll also be a bit windy. Monday looks like it should be dry with more sunshine. Highs will be in the mid 40s to mid 50s.

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