textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Accumulating snowfall is expected across portions of north central Nebraska today into Saturday. The highest accumulations are expected to be around 1-3 inches north of a Springview to O'Neill line.

- Overnight temperatures remain cold this weekend, with lows Sunday night dropping below zero across north central Nebraska. During the day, a sharp temperature gradient is expected across the region.

- Temperatures begin to warm above average again early week, with highs possibly climbing into the 50s and 60s.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 334 AM CST Fri Dec 12 2025

A low pressure system tracks through the region later today, bringing potential for winter weather impacts across portions of north central Nebraska. This afternoon, impacts are expected to remain fairly minimal, with light snow showers possible throughout the day. These snow showers may provide some light accumulations, generally under 1 inch for this afternoon.

Later tonight, as the low tracks slightly further east, it is expected to bring a more pronounced snow showers across southeast South Dakota, with some of these showers just far enough south to track across portions of north central into northeast Nebraska. Model guidance has been fairly consistent in producing a heavier band of snow along the South Dakota-Nebraska border, but there is still a little uncertainty in where the band sets up exactly. If the heavier band tracks just slightly further south, then new accumulations could climb between 2-3 inches across portions of north central Nebraska, mainly north of a Springview to O'Neill line. Given that this could produce some respectable snowfall rates overnight, have issues a Winter Weather Advisory for Boyd County this shift, as this is where confidence in 2-3 inches of snowfall is greater. Heaviest snowfall is expected between midnight and noon on Saturday, with snow showers quickly stopping early afternoon.

In addition to the snowfall, temperatures are expected to get quite cold overnight into Saturday morning. On the cool side of the front, roughly along and north of a Gordon to Broken Bow line, lows plunge into the teens and single digits. WIll be keeping an eye on potential for subzero wind chills across north central Nebraska, especially where snow is expected to occur. This will also set up a strong temperature gradient across the region by the afternoon. Again, on the cool side of the front, highs on Saturday are expected to struggle to reach the teens. However, on the warm side of the front, mostly southwest Nebraska, highs are expected to reach the 40s.

This will set up another cold night across the region Saturday night into Sunday morning. Across north central Nebraska, where fresh snowfall is anticipated, overnight lows hover around zero and drop below zero. For these snow covered regions, wind chills may drop to - 10 or colder, especially around sunrise into early Sunday morning. Further west, although lows will be slightly warmer in the teens, overnight wind chills will remain quite low, remaining in the low single digits and in some locations dropping below zero. Moving into Sunday afternoon, another sharp gradient is expected across the region, with temperatures ranging from the 20s in north central Nebraska to potentially the low 50s in the Panhandle.

LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 334 AM CST Fri Dec 12 2025

By Sunday evening, upper level ridging is expected to begin tracking into the region, becoming established across the region by Monday afternoon. This will bring a return to above average temperatures across the region through at least mid week. This is expected to usher in a return of highs in the 50s to 60s early week, which will contribute to quick snowmelt across north central Nebraska.

By mid week, a shortwave trough tracks across the northern Plains, which may push a cold front across the region. This should bring a quick brief cool off on Thursday, however, this is currently expected to bring highs in the 40s to low 50s. As this shortwave tracks out, upper level ridging is expected to redevelop, bringing more above average temperatures and little precipitation.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 527 AM CST Fri Dec 12 2025

A surface low pressure system will slowly track through western and north central Nebraska today and tonight. As this low tracks through the region, MVFR to IFR ceilings are expected throughout the effective TAF period, though there may be some very brief breaks in these prevailing conditions. Winds slowly shift from northerly to easterly and southeasterly by tomorrow morning. Light snow showers are observed this morning across northern Nebraska, and these showers may linger throughout the day. Tonight, these snow showers are expected to intensify, bringing accumulating snow fall across portions of north central Nebraska. Periods of greater snowfall may also bring reduced visibility across the region, though guidance remains low confidence on exact visibility conditions.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Winter Weather Advisory from 9 PM this evening to noon CST Saturday for NEZ007.