textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- High Wind Warning in effect for all of western and north central Nebraska thru 6pm CST this evening

- Cooler temperatures today in the wake of the cold front passage, highs will range from upper 20s to low 40s

- Elevated fire weather concerns today

- Temperatures warm back up Friday into the weekend

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 345 AM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

The main concern in the short term will be the strong winds this morning into the afternoon hours. As the low deepens across the Dakotas continues to move southeastward into southwest MN by this afternoon. As it moves southeastward the tight pressure gradient will move east as well and will see winds diminish fairly quickly by late afternoon. A brief lull in the strong winds early this morning is expected, with strong winds returning by sunrise, as we mix out around 750-700mb by mid morning into early afternoon we will see the strongest wind gust as bufkit soundings show wind gust around 60 to 70 kts around the 700 mb level mixing down to 60 mph or higher with stronger winds expected the greater mixing that occurs. The High Wind Warning will remain in effect until 6pm CST this evening. There will also be an elevated fire weather concern due to the strong winds in combination of the min RH values ranging from 25 to 35 percent, generally for fire weather zones across western and southwest Nebraska.

As for highs today, temperatures will remain cool in the wake of the cold front passage with highs only in the upper 20 s across north central Nebraska where CAA will be strongest. 30s to low 40s expected for the Sandhills into southwest Nebraska.

LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 345 AM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

The strong upper level low will continue to progress eastward into the Great Lakes Region and weak ridging across the Rockies on Friday with some weak WAA moving into the High Plains region will see above normal temperatures returning by Friday with highs in the 50s and 60s. Another cold front moves into the area cooling temperatures back into the low to mid 40s Saturday and the upper 40s to low 50s on Sunday, both of which, despite being cooler than Friday, temperatures will still range from 5 to 15 degrees above normal for this time of year. Expect the system to remain mostly dry, however there could be some light precip Friday night into Sunday for far northwest Sandhills(Pine Ridge area). Heading into the holiday week, expect the above normal and dry conditions to continue through Christmas Eve with highs in the 50s and 60s Monday through Wednesday.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1130 AM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

VFR conditions are expected to prevail through tomorrow afternoon across western and north central Nebraska. Strong northwest winds persist into early evening, with gusts of 45 to 55kts continuing for all terminals. Winds weaken after sunset, becoming southerly at 10 to 15kts by sunrise Friday. However, winds aloft remain strong and periods of LLWS are expected into Friday morning.

West winds strengthen Friday afternoon across western Nebraska, with a period of 35 to 45kt gusts again.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

High Wind Warning until 6 PM CST /5 PM MST/ this evening for NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094.