textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Precipitation chances continue across northern Nebraska through this morning.

- Very strong northwest winds gusting up to 45 to 50 mph is expected today before diminishing after sunset.

- Dry conditions prevail Sunday through the end of next week.

- Temperatures remain chilly on Sunday and Sunday night before a warming trend is expected through next week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 235 AM CST Sat Nov 8 2025

A shortwave trough is currently pushing across the Dakotas and into northern Nebraska. This trough is resulting in some light precipitation to areas mainly north of Highway 2. Areas north of US-20 could see up to a quarter inch of new QPF by the end of Saturday morning. Current temperature observations remain in the upper 30s and low 40s, creating an environment warm enough to keep precipitation as all rain. While the past few forecast runs show some brief snow across the Pine Ridge, the latest trends suggest precipitation will have moved east of the area by the time temperatures dip below freezing. Therefore, have removed any mention of snow from the forecast in that area.

Behind this departing trough, a cooler airmass will push into Nebraska today with temperatures dropping nearly 10 to 15 degrees from Friday. Highs will range from the mid 40s in northern Nebraska to the mid 50s south of I-80.

More of a concern behind the departing trough will be some stronger northwest winds through this afternoon as the pressure gradient begins to tighten as the ridge starts to build to the west. Little change has been made to the going forecast with gusts up to 50 mph possible across much of the forecast area. Latest probability suggests some isolated locations across the Sandhills have at least a 50 percent probability of seeing gusts higher than what is forecasted. Will hold off on any wind headlines at this time as probability of seeing gusts up to 58 mph (High Wind criteria) is only around 15 percent, leading to a lower confidence in reaching gusts that high. Winds diminish after sunset with quiet conditions returning through the overnight.

LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 235 AM CST Sat Nov 8 2025

Strong upper level ridging across the western US will allow for surface high pressure to continue across the region with dry conditions lasting through the end of the week. For temperatures, cold air advection on the leading edge of the ridge will usher in 850 mb temperatures in the -6 to -10 C range. This will result in surface temperatures to struggle to rise much above the mid 30s to mid 40s on Sunday. Overnight temperatures will also remain chilly with lows dropping into the teens on Sunday night. Despite calm winds, clear skies will allow for wind chills to drop into the single digits across portions of north central Nebraska on Sunday night as well. This cooler air will be short-lived as warmer air returns for next week. Highs return to the upper 50s and into the 60s by Tuesday lasting through Thursday. A surge of warm air advection on Friday will allow for most locations to see temperatures in the low 70s. Lows will drop into the 30s through Thursday night with lows only dropping into the upper 30s to low 40s on Friday night.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 1153 AM CST Sat Nov 8 2025

Winds will remain strong through the remainder of the afternoon into early evening with gust up to 45 kts in the afternoon out of the northwest. There will be some light rain showers this afternoon across the northern Sandhills into north central Nebraska, with another chance of rain showers and maybe even some light snow mixed in tonight across the same area, there could be some brief visibility reductions. Cigs will lower tonight with periods of MVFR conditions.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.