textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Strong, gusty northwest winds are expected across western and north central Nebraska today. Although humidity remains above critical fire weather thresholds, the strong gusts will allow for elevated fire weather concerns.

- Snow showers are possible across portions of north central Nebraska today. While accumulations are expected to remain under one inch, the combination of existing snow and new falling snow with gusty winds may create blowing snow and reduced visibility.

- A mostly dry forecast is expected this week, until chances of show showers late week. Temperatures are expected to be highly variable and fluctuate throughout the week, with lower confidence in forecast highs through the week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 423 AM CST Sun Jan 18 2026

A low pressure system across southern Manitoba will continue to track southeast today, which will track a cold front across western and north central Nebraska throughout the day. As this system pushes through, strong, gusty northwesterly winds are once again expected across the region. Sustained winds of 25 to 25 mph are expected, with gusts of 50 mph or greater. Though winds are strong across the region, these sit just under criteria for a High Wind Warning, so have decided against issuing a headline. In a similar note, minimum relative humidity values this afternoon are expected to remain around 30 to 50 percent, which is above critical fire weather thresholds. With this more abundant moisture, have decided against any fire weather headlines this afternoon. However, these strong wind gusts will merit at least elevated fire weather concerns, as any fire starts may quickly spread.

Ahead of the cold front, snow showers are possible across portions of north central Nebraska today. Accumulations are expected to remain on the lighter side, generally under half an inch. However, again the gusty winds bring potentially impactful conditions with this light snow. The already existing snow cover combined with falling snow and very gusty winds may lead to pockets of blowing snow and reduced visibility. These conditions are expected to remain isolated to areas in north central Nebraska, so have kept the inherited Winter Weather Advisory localized to Boyd and Holt counties.

Behind the cold front, a cold start is expected Monday morning, with lows ranging from the single digits in north central Nebraska to the low teens in western and southwestern Nebraska. Wind chills are expected to range from the low single digits across southwest Nebraska to around 10 to 15 below zero across north central Nebraska. Temperatures improve slightly by Monday afternoon, with highs ranging from the mid 20s across north central Nebraska to the upper 30s across southwest Nebraska.

LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/

Issued at 423 AM CST Sun Jan 18 2026

Gusty conditions are again expected on Tuesday, with west to northwest winds across the region. The strongest winds are expected across portions of the Panhandle, where gusts up to 30 mph are possible. A warm front will bring warmer conditions across portions of the region, particularly regions out west, where highs could reach the upper 40s to lower 50s. This will also be accompanied by lower relative humidity, down around 20 percent in western Nebraska. The combination of warmer temperatures, low humidity, and gusty winds may cause elevated to near critical fire weather concerns Tuesday afternoon.

The rest of the week, upper level ridging attempts to set up over western Nebraska, but a series of shortwaves keeps bringing shots of cooler air across north central Nebraska. This set up brings competing air masses across the region, with highly variable temperatures expected throughout the week. Confidence in high temperatures is relatively low, especially mid week and beyond. Spreads in the NBM 25th and 75th percentile are generally around a 10 to 20 degree difference on daily highs, especially late week. Much will depend on how the upper level pattern evolves throughout the week, and timing of expected shortwaves and cold fronts.

However, there is some consistency in forecast guidance on a fairly dry forecast this week. Little to no precipitation is expected, outside perhaps a glancing blow across far southwest Nebraska Monday evening. Seeing some consistency in both the GFS and ECMWF deterministic models on an arctic front late week into the weekend, which is expected to usher in cooler temperatures and a chance of snow showers. At this time, will continue to monitor forecast trends, until confidence increases on timing of the potential late week system.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z MONDAY/

Issued at 1116 AM CST Sun Jan 18 2026

A cold front will bring gusty winds to the area this afternoon into the early evening hours. Wind gusts may reach 40+ kts at both terminals through 00z Monday. There is also a threat for rain and snow showers at the KVTN terminal through late afternoon. Visibilities may be reduced to around 3sm at times with ceilings falling off to 2500 FT AGL. Winds will diminish later tonight to 10 KTS or less overnight. Skies will gradually clear over northern Nebraska tonight with scattered to broken high clouds expected over southwestern Nebraska.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for NEZ007- 010.