textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible tonight across the forecast area. A few storms may be severe with large hail and damaging winds with the greatest severe threat west and north of a line from Broken Bow, to Bassett, to Lynch.

- There will be a continued threat for strong to severe storms Saturday and Sunday across portions of the area. Large hail and damaging winds are the main threats.

- Temperatures will be above normal this weekend and have a good potential to remain above normal Monday through Friday next week.

- After Monday night, precipitation chances will decrease across the area.

SYNOPSIS

Issued at 311 PM CDT Fri Aug 28 2026

The H5 pattern this morning had an area of high pressure located over western New Mexico. Ridging extended north northeast of this feature into eastern portions of the NW Territories of Canada. West of the ridge, a strong shortwave was located over central Alberta with another shortwave located over far southern portions of the Alaska Panhandle. East of the ridge, closed low pressure was located over southern portions of Hudson Bay. A trough of low pressure extended south of this low into the Mid-Atlantic and upper Ohio Valley. Southwesterly flow aloft extended from the western Dakotas and northwestern Nebraska southwest to California and Oregon. Within this flow, embedded disturbances were noted from Nevada into Idaho. The disturbances have moved northeast into Wyoming per current WV imagery. Across western and north central Nebraska this afternoon skies were clear to mostly clear and 2 PM CDT temperatures ranged from 83 degrees at Broken Bow to 93 degrees in Ogallala.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 311 PM CDT Fri Aug 28 2026

Embedded disturbances will ride northeast across Wyoming and northern Colorado, approaching eastern Wyoming and north central Colorado late this afternoon, initiating convection along the front ranges of southeastern Wyoming and northern Colorado. This activity will ride east into the evening hours with the best chances for precipitation mainly along and west of highway 83. The loss of surface heating and associated instability will decrease heading east across the eastern half of the forecast area. With that in mind, have favored highest pops over the far western forecast area, gradually decreasing them from west to east to the highway 83 corridor. This is in agreement with the latest CAMS including the 12z NAM12 and WARW solns and the 17z HRRR. A second area of convection, which originates over South Dakota, may impact far northeastern portions of the forecast area late this evening into the overnight hours. As for the severe threat, feel the initial mode in the west will be large hail and gusty winds given the fairly steep mid level lapse rates. DCAPE is favorable for gusty winds later this evening in the east. On Saturday, H5 high pressure will transition east, approaching the Texas Panhandle early Saturday afternoon. Broad west southwest flow aloft will develop upstream from the ridge to a deepening trough of low pressure anchored over the Pacific NW Coast. Saturday will be very warm across the forecast area with H85 temperatures reaching 31C at 21z for KLBF (12Z NAM soln). Readings reach around 33z for KIML. That being said forecast highs in the upper 90s to hear 100 for SW Nebraska appears on track. As the Pacific NW trough approaches northern Idaho late Saturday, ridging across the central plains will be suppressed south, leading to west southwesterly flow aloft. Convection is expected to fire over the Cheyenne Ridge and northeastern Colorado Saturday afternoon, then lift east northeast into the forecast area Saturday evening. ATTM the greatest risk for severe storms appears to be over western and northwestern portions of the forecast area per the latest SWODY2. However, based on the latest NAM12 soln favorable DCAPE and shear extends further south into SW Nebraska Saturday evening. The 12z HRRR soln this morning is hinting at bowing segments along the I-80 corridor Saturday evening. That being said, wouldn't be surprised if the marginal risk is extended further south covering more of southwestern Nebraska Saturday/Saturday night.

LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 311 PM CDT Fri Aug 28 2026

Upper level low pressure will transition east along the Montana/Canadian border Sunday. The severe threat should shift north into the western and central Dakotas Sunday night. However, we may see a strong to severe storm along a trailing frontal boundary. This feature will track across the forecast area Sunday night so am expecting a "late show" across the forecast area with convection during the late evening to overnight hours. Beyond Sunday, upper level high pressure will transition east from the Arklatex into the Tennessee Valley. Gulf moisture on the back side to the high will lift from the southern plains into eastern Kansas and the lower Missouri Valley. The latest mid model solns indicate a drier airmass across central and western Nebraska, leading to lower precipitation chances across the area. This drier trend will begin on Tuesday and continue into Friday next week. After highs in the 80s to near 90 for Monday and Tuesday, above normal temperatures will arrive Wednesday continuing through Friday with highs generally in the lower to mid 90s.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1228 PM CDT Fri Aug 28 2026

Cloud cover will gradually increase late this afternoon into the evening hours as isolated thunderstorms across the Nebraska Panhandle, drift east into western Nebraska. The current CAMS, have trended downward with thunderstorm coverage, especially along and east of a line from KVTN to KLBF. That being said, will handle the thunder mention with a VCTS group and broken ceilings at 12000 FT AGL from 01z to 05z this evening. Low level wind shear will be possible at the KLBF terminal after 05z tonight, continuing through 12z Saturday morning.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.