Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today
HASTINGS — If the recent heat wave felt particularly stifling, that’s because it was the hottest in decades for the Tri-Cities area.
The National Weather Service – Hastings said with Thursday, Aug. 24’s data all but final, the six day stretch from Saturday, Aug. 19 to Aug. 24 were the hottest in decades for Grand Island and Hastings.
For Grand Island the six days saw an average high temperature of 102.7 degrees, an average low temperature of 74.5 degrees and an overall average temperature 88.6 degrees.
This is the overall six hottest days in 57 years, since July 8-13, 1966, which saw an average high temperature of 103.2 and an average temperature of 89 degrees.
NWS Hastings also noted that the past six days were the hottest this late in the summers in 92 years, when the area was seeing the Dust Bowl on the horizon, Sept. 5-10, 1931.
Another record broken was that the four-day streak of 100 high temperatures marked the first run of four consecutive days in 11 years, the last time was July 21-24, 2012.
Also, the high temperature of 106 on Aug. 21 was the hottest temperature recorded this late in year, in 80 years, since Aug. 23, 1943 which saw 109 degrees recorded.
Grand Island temperature records date back to 1895.
In Hastings, this six-day stretch is the overall hottest in 35 years, the average daily temperature was 101.5 degrees, the average low was 73 degrees and the overall average temperature was 87.3 degrees.
The last time temperatures were this hot was June 20-25 1988, which saw an average temperature of 87.3 degrees.
Also, the past six days were the hottest ever recorded in last summer for hastings and beat out the pervious average 86.5 degrees recorded from Aug. 21-26, 1943.
The four day streak of over 100 degree high temperature marked the first run in 28 years, the last was a five day streak from July 11-15, 1995.
Yet another noteworthy item was the high temperature of 104 degrees on Aug. 21 was the hottest temperature recorded this late in the year in 68 years, since Aug. 27, 1955.
Hastings temperature records date back to 1907.
NWS Hastings notes that a cold front will move through the area today, with cooler air filtering in behind it. Thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon and evening, a few of which may become strong to marginally severe.
“Saturday temperatures are expected to be very pleasant, particularly after the multiple days of 100 plus degree heat. Expect high temperatures to be in the 70s and 80s,” NWS Hastings stated, “Dry conditions persist through much of the extended forecast. An upper trough moving across the region Tuesday may bring a chance for an isolated shower or storm.”
