textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue today and tonight, lasting into Wednesday morning. Wetting rainfall is expected across portions of western and southwestern Nebraska.

- Light snow showers are possible Tuesday night across western Nebraska. Little to no accumulations are expected.

- Moderate confidence in showers and isolated thunderstorms Thursday night, although the severe potential remains low.

- Low to moderate confidence in showers and thunderstorms Saturday night into Sunday.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 328 AM CDT Tue May 5 2026

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to persist throughout the day today lasting into the overnight hours. An upper level shortwave continues to track south across the Dakotas, intensifying a surface low over eastern Colorado. A second upper level low across the Desert Southwest continues to stream Pacific moisture across the Plains, providing plenty of moisture for this system to produce precipitation. As the low remains over eastern Colorado, near steady rainfall is expected to continue across western and southwestern Nebraska, with showers extending into the Sandhills. Given the duration of the event, potentially lasting into Wednesday, expecting a wetting rainfall for most of western and southwestern Nebraska, with better potential for amounts greater than one half inch along and south of an Oshkosh to Hayes Center line.

Tuesday night, as temperatures drop below freezing across western Nebraska, expecting to see snow mixing in with rain showers. Across portions of the Panhandle, may see a full switchover to snow for the overnight hours. However, given the warm soil temperatures, expecting very little in terms of accumulations, with amounts ranging from a dusting to a few tenths of an inch and only lasting a few hours at most. As temperatures warm again across the region on Wednesday into the 50s, any snow that managed to reach the ground should rapidly melt.

As for Wednesday, the upper level shortwave is expected to track south across southern Nebraska, ejecting the surface low from eastern Colorado. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to persist across western and southwestern Nebraska through the morning hours, with showers moving out of the region during the afternoon hours. Temperatures are expected to remain on the cooler side Wednesday afternoon, with highs in the 50s across most of the region.

Looking ahead to Wednesday night, clouds are expected to track out of the region, leaving mostly clear skies overnight. Light west winds, around 5 to 10 mph are expected, which should allow for stronger radiational cooling across the region. This may allow overnight lows to drop into the upper 20s to lower 30s. With temperatures currently expected to drop below freezing, will need to keep an eye on forecast trends to see if another freeze product is needed. There is still some uncertainty in temperatures for this period, especially with a westerly wind component. At this time, will forego any freeze products, but something worth keeping an eye on for those with sensitive plants and vegetation.

LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/

Issued at 328 AM CDT Tue May 5 2026

Strong upper level ridging over the western US will keep surface high pressure over the region on Thursday. A return to more active weather arrives on Thursday night as a shortwave trough pushes across western Nebraska. This will provide an opportunity for some showers and thunderstorms across much of north central Nebraska. Not expecting severe storms right now, but could see a stronger storm or two especially early in the evening. The latest guidance suggests some modest instability Thursday evening, mainly west of US-83. If severe storms develop will likely see them in this vicinity as they develop off the higher terrain. Any severe potential will be short lived as instability quickly wanes after sunset.

The next potential for widespread thunderstorms arrives on the weekend as another, somewhat stronger, upper level trough digs south across the Rockies. This system could bring some extended precipitation chances to the region with isolated to scattered showers and storms into Sunday. Currently the severe risk is uncertain at this time, but will continue to monitor this developing system over the next few days. Drier conditions return by Sunday night as strong surface pressure builds back into the region. After several days of temperatures in the 70s, this high will usher in some cooler air into the central Plains. Highs on Sunday will struggle to rise out of the 60s. Overnight lows will remain steady in the 40s through Sunday night.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 624 AM CDT Tue May 5 2026

Isolated showers are expected to continue across areas mainly south of Highway 2 through at least this morning. Reductions in visibility due to falling rain as well as light fog will be possible. Another round of showers with embedded thunderstorms are possible again this afternoon which may result in some lightning or brief periods of heavier rainfall. A dry or mostly dry forecast is expected across northern Nebraska (KVTN), but overcast skies with ceilings as low as 8000 feet should still be expected.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.