textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- High winds tonight are expected across most of the area. High Wind Warning is in effect for areas across the Sandhills and northern Nebraska.

- Colder Wednesday then a warm up expected again on Thursday.

- Much colder air arrives this weekend as arctic high pressure filters south into the region.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 335 PM CST Tue Dec 9 2025

High Wind Warning potential is the main concern in the near term. A potent Alberta Clipper system will dive southeastward across the northern plains into mid Mississippi valley this afternoon through tonight. A couple of different shots of stronger wind potential this afternoon and tonight. 1) very strong downslope winds are occurring this afternoon across eastern Wyoming into the Nebraska Panhandle. This is a result of high pressure across the higher terrain to the west and falling pressure across the plains due to the deepening surface low associated with the Clipper system. Gusts in excess of 70 mph have been noted across eastern Wyoming and in the higher elevations (Front Range) of Colorado. A recent gust to 69 mph has been noted at the Scottsbluff airport in the western Nebraska Panhandle. Issued a high wind warning for Sheridan and Garden county as some of these stronger gusts to around 60 mph appear they could make it that far east this afternoon before loosing momentum farther to the east. 2) As the surface low migrates southeastward from North Dakota toward Iowa late this afternoon and tonight, expect a strong cold front to surge southward into the area. This cold frontal passage will coincide with steepening O-3km lapse rates, along with a PV anomaly that will move southeastward across north central through central Nebraska. The better mixing in the 0-3km range should allow for strong wind gusts (60 mph) to potentially reach the surface through the overnight hours. For now it appears southwest Nebraska and the southwest portions of the Sandhills should remain just under criteria and won't carry any headlines for these areas.

Surface high pressure will quickly build into the area Wednesday. As a result the winds quickly diminish. Colder temperatures will occur behind the front as a modified Canadian airmass briefly crosses the area. Highs Wednesday will range from the mid 30s across north central Nebraska to the mid 40s across southwest portions of the state.

Warmer temperatures return Thursday as a leeward surface trough develops and moves east across the area. Highs well into the 60s are expected west of the surface trough (for areas roughly west of Highway 183). Fire weather could become a concern as gusty west winds and lower humidity also develop with the warmer temperatures. Conditions look elevated at this time, but will continue to monitor for greater potential.

LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/

Issued at 335 PM CST Tue Dec 9 2025

Northwest flow aloft continues into the weekend. Strong arctic high pressure will settle southward into the Dakotas with a strong cold front surging southward through the area Friday. A reinforcing cold front then backs in from the northeast Saturday. This will keep portions of north central Nebraska in the teens for highs Saturday. A slow moderation in temperatures is then expected Sunday into Monday. At this time, it appears that most if not all of the precipitation should remain north of the area across South Dakota. Ensemble probabilities confirm this, with precipitation accumulation of 0.01" or greater remaining mostly north of the border.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 532 PM CST Tue Dec 9 2025

A strong cold front will pass through the southern half of the forecast area by 02z this evening. Winds behind the front will be northwesterly or north-nortwesterly at 20 to 30 KTS with frequent gusts up to 45 KTS, particularly at the KVTN terminal. Gusts will not be quite that high at the KLBF terminal and will range from 30 to 40 KTS. Winds will begin to diminish by mid to late morning Wednesday. For both terminals, VFR ceilings are forecast over the next 24 hours.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

High Wind Warning until midnight CST /11 PM MST/ tonight for NEZ004-022-023-035-036. High Wind Warning until 6 AM CST /5 AM MST/ Wednesday for NEZ005>010-024>029-037-038-094.