textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Areas of blowing snow this morning (mainly northern Nebraska) and very cold wind chills through Monday morning. - Wind gusts of up to around 55 mph expected today.

- Temperatures begin to moderate Monday with a return dry and above normal temperatures Tuesday through the end of the week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 331 AM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

Strong mid-level FGEN is in place across southwest through north central Nebraska early this morning. Snow has been falling, especially from Ainsworth to Broken Bow and points east. There has been localized banding and heavier snowfall rates at times, but the last several scans of the radar now beginning to show an overall weakening trend. Forecast looks on track with a good 1" or snow expected to accumulate before the snow ends from west to east. Localized amounts of 2" are expected along the Highway 20 corridor from around Bassett though O'Neill where some of the heavier banding has occurred. Did issue a Special Weather Statement through sunrise due to the expected localized blowing of snow and quickly falling temperatures. This will cause untreated surfaces that were wet to freeze quickly creating slick conditions. The mid-level FGEN quickly shift east and southeast of the area after sunrise with the snow ending. The next concern will be the strong winds and blowing snow. Doesn't appear that the blowing snow will be a major concern as total snow accumulations for the most part are fairly light. There will be some sifting of snow across roads through, especially this morning. Wind gusts today will be quite strong, especially as we mix with some clearing later this morning into this afternoon. Bufkit sounding profiles suggest a rouge 50 kt gust (60 mph) is not out of the question, but most gusts look to stay 55 mph or less and doesn't appear any High Wind Headlines are in order at this time. Winds begin to slowly decrease tonight into Monday, but still anticipating gusts of 30-40 mph, especially through midnight tonight. Winds continue to decrease through Monday, and should be down to 10 mph or less by late Monday afternoon. As far as wind chills. They will be very cold with readings averaging around 5 below through the day today across northern Nebraska. Even colder tonight into Monday morning, with reading of 13 to 18 below zero across northern Nebraska and 0 to 10 below across portions of southwest Nebraska. Not quite cold enough for an advisory, but will certainly be the focus, especially since such a change from all the very mild weather lately. Winds become light by Monday night with wind chills no longer a major concern.

LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/

Issued at 331 AM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

Northwest flow aloft develops Tuesday through Thursday ahead of upstream ridging across the Rockies. Appears this ridge will try and shift eastward into the central plains by next weekend. Overall it looks to be a dry week ahead with a return to above normal temperatures. With the warmer temperatures and drier air in place, some elevated fire weather concerns will likely develop at times. However, no critical conditions are anticipated.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/

Issued at 1120 PM CST Sat Dec 27 2025

Low stratus and snow will continue to overspread much of the Sandhills and northern Nebraska, persisting through sunrise Sunday morning. This will lead to periods of MVFR/IFR CIGs and visibilities. As the system quickly departs the area, a return to VFR is expected for all terminals Sunday afternoon.

Winds remain strong from the north through the entire valid period, with gusts of 35 to 45kts expected for all terminals.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.