textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Elevated fire weather concerns today across the central and northern Sandhills and northwest Nebraska.

- A cold front brings much colder weather to the area Saturday night through Monday.

- Some light snow is possible Saturday night into Sunday. Little accumulation is expected.

- A return to above normal temperatures is expected next week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 250 AM CST Fri Dec 26 2025

Another very mild day is expected this day after Christmas...as upper level ridging continues to dominate the weather pattern across the central U.S. between troughing on both coasts. A nearly stationary front is located across eastern Nebraska into central South Dakota and western North Dakota. This front separates cooler air originating from Canada to it's east and very mild Pacific air to it's west. Models are struggling with how far east this front may wobble today. If it remains in place, then eastern areas (Holt, Boyd & Wheeler counties) could stay colder than forecast. The trend has been for the front to move little today, and have trended highs down several degrees in the above mentioned areas. Could still not be cold enough, especially across Boyd and far eastern Holt counties. The latest 06Z NAM does try and push the front a little farther to the east, allowing forecast highs in the mid to upper 50s to be reached. Meanwhile, to the west of the front, west to southwest winds will bring very mild downslope conditions. Many areas will be nearing record highs once again. North Platte's record for instance is 66 degrees set in 2005. Forecasting a high of 69 degrees...so records are in jeopardy. The other concern will be elevated fire weather conditions. As highs climb into the mid and upper 60s, humidity will fall to around 25%. Winds will be stronger the farther north you go, with gusts nearing 25 mph across portions of the central and northern Sandhills and across northwest Nebraska.

Similar conditions are expected Saturday. The front remains nearly stationary, with much of our area again seeing very mild highs in the mid 50s to mid 60s. Again, somewhat elevated fire weather concern develop across the central and northern Sandhills and northwest Nebraska.

Conditions change quickly Saturday night into Sunday. A potent Alberta Clipper will dive southeast across the northern plains. This will drive a strong cold front southward though the area Saturday night. Strong low-level cold air advection will bring much colder temperatures, with highs Sunday only in the 20s. While not uncommon for this time of year, it will be quite noticeable, especially since the weather has been so mild the last couple of weeks. Some light snow could develop during the day Sunday within a zone of mid-level FGEN oriented across the area. As of now, only a light dusting is expected. The other story will be the gusty northwest winds. Area profile soundings support northwest gusts around 45 mph or so, decreasing some Sunday night. Winds chills both Sunday morning and again Sunday night will be in the 0 to 10 below range, coldest across northern Nebraska.

LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 250 AM CST Fri Dec 26 2025

Breezy northwest winds will continue Monday...as Canadian high pressure builds southward into the region. Temperatures will modify across western Nebraska Monday (into the upper 30s) but only mid 20s are expected farther to the east across portions of north central into eastern Nebraska.

Northwest flow aloft develops Monday and continues through Thursday. Ridging aloft will develop mid-week across the Rockies and then translate eastward into the plains by Friday. All in all looks to be a dry week ahead. A return to above normal temperatures are expected, however record breaking warmth is not expected at this time.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1138 AM CST Fri Dec 26 2025

Increasing clouds is expected overnight, however, ceilings will remain above 10 kft. Some low level wind shear may be possible tonight across portions of north central Nebraska, but should remain east of both terminals. Therefore, have opted to leave it out of the prevailing forecast at this time. Otherwise, VFR conditions continue through Saturday morning with winds remaining under 10 knots and partly cloudy skies.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.