textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Precipitation chances linger into this evening

- A brief cool down on Wednesday, with highs mostly in the 40s, with even cooler temperatures Friday and Saturday

- Strong winds expected Thursday and Friday, with strongest winds on Friday

SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 416 PM CST Tue Jan 13 2026

The main concern in the short term will be the continued precipitation chances. We have already seen around 0.2" of rainfall in some locations across the northern Sandhills with the fgn band that has developed leading to higher qpf values than initially expected. This has made rainfall activity become more stratiform in nature, however still continuing to monitor for the development of more convective type showers, generally after sunset. Although confidence is lowering in seeing the dry lightning and gusty wind aspect to the showers, it still can't be ruled out. Precipitation will start to diminish after midnight, however there is an isolated chance of a lingering shower in the early morning hours. Temperautres will be slightly cooler on Wednesday with highs only in the upper 30s to low 40s across north central Nebraska, but the cool down will be brief as a return to warmer temperatures return for Thursday.

LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/

Issued at 416 PM CST Tue Jan 13 2026

The main concern in the long term will be strong northwest winds and fire weather concerns. A distrubancefor Friday with the combination of dry, warm moves through Thursday and in advance of the system will see winds increase out of the northwest Thursday. Wind gusts of 40 to 45 mph will be anticipated widespread across western and north central Nebraska. Probablistic models are indicating increasing confidence in stronger winds across the northern Sandhills with probabilities greater than 80% thus may need to increase winds across the northern Sandhills if the trend continues. For Friday SOT indicates a stronger signal thus forecaster confidence continues to increase. Probability models have been consistent with winds in excess of 50 mph along with the potential increasing in 60 mph winds or greater and thus may see the need for headlines in the upcoming days.

Strong winds on Thursday and Friday will also lead to increase in fire potential both days as well. Min RH will range from near 20 to 30 percent across southwest and western Nebraska both days and will need to continue to monitor trends as elevated fire weather potential is expected, however could see a potential for near- critical concerns as well.

As far as temperatures, a cool down is expected Friday and Saturday after the cold front passage and will see widespread highs Friday in the 30s across all of western and north central Nebraska and on Saturday highs only in the mid 20s to 30 across north central Nebraska into the Sandhills.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 556 PM CST Tue Jan 13 2026

A band of light rain continues to quickly move south and will depart western Nebraska early in the forecast period. This includes exiting the LBF airspace. VFR conditions will likely exist for a few hours before low-stratus infiltrates the area in the post-frontal airmass. This should lead to MVFR if not IFR CIGs for area terminals. Confidence in IFR is limited so will omit at this time and monitor trends.

Closer to daybreak on Wednesday, light showers in the form of RA/SN will move out of South Dakota and into west central Nebraska. This will likely lead to impacts at VTN though precise timing and magnitude is uncertain given small scale of expected activity. Will limit to VCSH for now and attempt to hone in on greater detail with next forecast issuance. Conditions improve towards the end of the period with a return to VFR expected.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.