Honestly, if you've lived in central Nebraska for more than a week, you know the drill. You wake up and it’s basically spring, but by the time you're heading to dinner, you’re looking for the ice scraper and wondering why you ever trusted the sunshine. That’s exactly what we’re looking at with the 10 day weather forecast kearney ne right now. It is a classic mixed bag that’ll have you swapping between a light hoodie and your heavy Carhartt faster than you can grab a coffee at Kitt’s.
We are currently sitting on Sunday, January 18, 2026, and the "real feel" out there is doing some weird things. While the mercury is hitting a respectable 48°F today, don't let that fool you. The wind is currently ripping out of the northwest at 24 mph. It makes that 48 degrees feel a lot more like 41, and honestly, that’s being generous when you’re standing in a parking lot.
The Midweek Rollercoaster
Tomorrow, Monday, January 19, things take a sharp dip. We’re looking at a high of only 34°F. It’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so if you were planning on being outside, just know that the low is bottoming out at 10°F. It's cold. Like, "don't leave your pipes vulnerable" cold.
But then, Tuesday happens. Kearney decides it wants to be pleasant again. We jump back up to 45°F with mostly cloudy skies. It’s this constant back-and-forth that defines January in the Tri-City area. You get these little pockets of warmth—usually courtesy of some downslope winds—followed by a reminder that, yes, it is still the dead of winter.
✨ Don't miss: Charcoal Gas Smoker Combo: Why Most Backyard Cooks Struggle to Choose
Wednesday and Thursday stay in that "manageable" zone. We’re looking at highs of 41°F and 45°F respectively. If you have errands to run or need to get some yard work done before the next front hits, Thursday is your window. The wind drops to about 11 mph, which, for Kearney, is basically a dead calm.
When the Bottom Falls Out: The Weekend Outlook
If you’re looking at the 10 day weather forecast kearney ne to plan a weekend trip, you might want to reconsider Friday. Everything changes on January 23. We go from those mid-40s straight down into a high of 22°F.
And it’s not just the cold. We’re looking at a legitimate chance of snow showers. The humidity spikes to 62%, and that northeast wind starts to bite. Friday night is going to be brutal, with temperatures dropping to 5°F.
🔗 Read more: Celtic Knot Engagement Ring Explained: What Most People Get Wrong
Saturday, January 24, is looking like the coldest day of this entire stretch.
- High temperature: 17°F
- Low temperature: 4°F
- Condition: Mostly cloudy with a 20% chance of snow
It’s the kind of day where the air just feels thin. If you’re heading to a UNK game or just trying to survive a grocery run, prepare for that wind chill to be well into the negatives.
A Quick Rebound?
The good news—if you can call it that—is that Nebraska weather is nothing if not impatient. By next Monday, January 26, we’re forecasted to climb back up to 41°F. It’s a 24-degree jump in 48 hours. That’s a classic Great Plains "thermal reset."
💡 You might also like: Campbell Hall Virginia Tech Explained (Simply)
What most people get wrong about these forecasts is focusing only on the high number. In Kearney, the wind is the real boss. A 40-degree day with a 25 mph wind is significantly more miserable than a 25-degree day that’s actually still. This week, we have both. Sunday’s 24 mph gusts are no joke, especially with the Red Flag warnings that have been popping up in the surrounding counties like Phelps and Dawson. It’s dry out there. Really dry.
Survival Tips for the Next 10 Days
Don't trust the morning sun. Seriously. If the forecast says 45, but you see "NW 20 mph," bring the heavy coat anyway.
- Hydrate your skin and your pets. The humidity is hovering around 40-50% most days, which is pretty par for the course for a Nebraska January, but that wind will sap the moisture out of everything.
- Watch the Friday transition. The jump from 45 on Thursday to 22 on Friday is where people get caught off guard. Check your tire pressure on Thursday night; those big temp drops always trigger the sensor.
- Snow chance is low, but visibility is the risk. Even with a 15-20% chance of snow, those high winds can turn a few flurries into a "where did the road go?" situation in a hurry.
Basically, keep the scraper in the car and the heavy blanket in the trunk. This 10 day weather forecast kearney ne shows exactly why we're used to living in four seasons all within the same week.
Stay warm, Kearney. The weekend is going to be a cold one, but at least we'll see some sun before the clouds move in for Friday's snow threat.