textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Continued hot temperatures this weekend, with Heat Advisories in effect Sunday and Monday for portions of the forecast area.

- Isolated thunderstorms possible Saturday afternoon and early evening for portions of the Sandhills.

- A slight chance for thunderstorms Monday afternoon and evening portions of the Sandhills.

- Temperatures return to near normal Tuesday through Friday with thunderstorms chances, with the higher chances Wednesday and Wednesday night.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 140 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

Short Term (Today through Sunday night): The main concern in the short term will be the heat this weekend and the isolated chance of thunderstorms this afternoon and early evening. Upper level high pressure continues to remain centered across the High Plains with strong WAA and 850 temps around 24 to 30 degrees celsius this weekend leading to hot and dangerous temperatures by Sunday. High temperatures reaching the 90s to low 100s by Sunday. Saturday the heat index will remain below criteria thus no need for heat headlines. Sunday will be warmer and heat indicies will reaching and exceeding the 100 degree heat index across the northern Sandhills into north central Nebraska. Did extend the heat advisory on Sunday to the west to include Sheridan County.

As far as thunderstorm chances this weekend, there will be an isolated chance for thunderstorms this afternoon and early evening. The frontal boundary currently located across southern South Dakota will slowly sag southward today and become stalled across portions of the central Sandhills into north central Nebraska. This will become the primary focus for any isolated convection that develops this afternoon. Convection is expected to be mainly general thunderstorms as the environment is not supportive to sustain any organized severe potential. Storm development will generally be diurnally driven, thus the potential for thunderstorm development will wane by sunset.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 1247 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

VFR conditions are expected over the next 24 hours. Winds light and variable overnight, then will be out of the east to northeast Saturday afternoon around 5 to 10 kts. Some scattered afternoon cumulus expected during the afternoon. Isolated thunderstorms are possible in the eastern Sandhills, but are not expected to affect the KLBF or KVTN TAF sites.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Heat Advisory from 10 AM to 9 PM MDT Sunday for NEZ004. Heat Advisory from 11 AM CDT /10 AM MDT/ Sunday to 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ Monday for NEZ005>010-026>029-094. Heat Advisory from 11 AM CDT /10 AM MDT/ to 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ Monday for NEZ022>025-035>038-056>059-069>071.