Red Cloud, NE Weather

Key Messages

- Highs in the upper 60s to low 70s today with scattered showers possible south/southeast of the Tri-Cities this afternoon-tonight.

- Seasonably warm weather expected through Friday with highs in the mid-upper 70s. Southerly winds gusting 30-45mph possible on Friday.

- More widespread rain chances (40-60%) arrive this weekend along with cooler weather. &&

.UPDATE... Issued at 305 AM CDT Tue Oct 20 2026

Skies are clear this morning with temperatures currently sitting in the 40s. Aloft the area is under southwesterly flow-ridging with a weak disturbance in this flow located over the Rockies. Seasonable- seasonably warm weather is expected today as highs climb into the upper 60s to low 70s. As the aforementioned upper level disturbance lifts into the Plains today, it brings scattered showers to the area this afternoon-tonight. Rain chances (15-25%) will be mainly south/southeast of the Tri-Cities with overall accumulations remaining fairly light (accumulations generally under 0.10"). Lows tonight will be in the 40s to low 50s. Any lingering rain comes to an end around sunrise on Wednesday. Pleasant weather continues on Wednesday as highs climb into the low-mid 70s with sunny skies and light winds. Temperatures rise further on Thursday, reaching the mid- upper 70s. Thursday will be breezy west of Highway 281, gusting 20- 30mph. Windy weather is expected on Friday ahead of an approaching trough with southerly winds gusting 30-45mph. More widespread/higher rain chances arrive Friday night-Saturday as the trough moves into the Plains and pushes a cold front into the area. While there remains spread on the evolution of the trough/front the overall highest chances (40-60%) for rain appear to be on Saturday. Cooler weather arrives behind the cold frontal passage, with highs returning to the 60s.

Discussion

Issued at 218 PM CDT Mon Oct 19 2026

An upper level trough is centered off the West Coast. An upper level disturbance/shortwave is over portions of north central Kansas and south central Nebraska. Increased lift from this shortwave has resulted in showers across mainly north central Kansas. These showers are decreasing in coverage and are expected to continue to decrease. Temperatures this afternoon across the area are expected to warm up into the mid 60s to lower 70s with southeast winds gusting up to around 20 to 25 MPH. Winds will weaken this evening and tonight with temperatures cooling into the 40s tonight into Tuesday morning.

An upper level shortwave trough will pass over/near the area on Tuesday. Rain chances (15% to around 25%) will increase Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning as a result of increased upper lift from the shortwave. Temperatures on Tuesday are expected to warm up into the mid 60s to low 70s. Overnight low temperatures Tuesday night will be in the 40s and 50s. The warm up continues into Wednesday with high temperatures in the 70s. Low temperatures Wednesday night/Thursday morning will be in the 50s areawide. Temperatures on Thursday will be similar or slightly warmer than those on Wednesday as an upper ridge becomes more centered over the area and winds increase out of the south. Winds will be even stronger out of the south on Friday (gusts possibly reaching 35 to 40 MPH in the afternoon) in advance of an approaching upper trough. High temperatures Friday are expected to be similar to those on Thursday. Low temperatures Friday night will be in the 50s and 60s.

The upper trough will begin to pass over the region on Saturday with a cold front moving into the area. This front will result in high temperatures mainly in the 60s across the area on Sunday. This front will also result in an increase in rain chances (up to 50% chance) beginning on Saturday.

Aviation

Issued at 626 AM CDT Tue Oct 20 2026

For KGRI/KEAR Airports:

VFR conditions favored through TAF period. Fog ongoing should remain northwest of KGRI/KEAR this morning, but the window of potential would be through 15z. Southerly winds increase this morning, with sustained winds of 10-15kts and gusts around 20kts this afternoon. Winds become light around sunset and lighter overnight. SCT high level clouds are possible this afternoon- tonight but rain should stay southeast of KGRI/KEAR. There could be another round of fog Wednesday morning, but confidence in occurrence/density is too low to mention in the TAF at this time.

Gid Watches

NE...None. KS...None.