textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Strong winds continue this afternoon through the overnight, switching from the west to the northwest

- Fire weather concerns persist the remainder of the afternoon into the evening hours for all of western and north central Nebraska

- Additional fire weather concerns may be possible on Saturday afternoon across western Nebraska

SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 402 PM CDT Thu Mar 12 2026

The main concern in the short term will continue to be the strong winds along with the fire weather concerns through this evening. Winds will remain out of the west through the early evening hours. Expect the cold front to advance through the area between 23z and 03z this evening, as the cold front passes winds will turn to the northwest. Winds will remain strong across western Nebraska into the central Sandhills through mid evening, then strongest winds overnight will be across north central Nebraska. The High Wind Warning across western Nebraska into the central Sandhills will be in effect until 10pm CDT with the the High Wind Warning across north central Nebraska in effect until 3am CDT. Winds will then diminish towards sunrise with winds decreasing to around 15 mph.

As for temperatures for Friday, coolest temperatures will lie across north central Nebraska in the wake of the cold front with highs only reaching the 40s. Southwest winds will keep temperatures warmer across western and southwest Nebraska with above normal temperatures as highs reach the 60s and 70s. There will be some elevated fire weather concerns across southwest Nebraska as temperatures as min RH will be in the low 20s, however winds are not expected to be strong, only around 10 to 15 mph with gust up to 20 mph in the afternoon.

LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 402 PM CDT Thu Mar 12 2026

See Previous Discussion

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 628 PM CDT Thu Mar 12 2026

Although VFR conditions will prevail tonight and tomorrow across western and north central Nebraska, very strong wind gusts will continue this evening into the middle of the night. A surface boundary pushing through the region is bringing a shift to more northwesterly winds across north central Nebraska, and will continue to push south through midnight. Through midnight, very strong gusts of 40 to 50 kts will remain possible, with gusts slowly decreasing through the early morning hours. With the very strong wind gusts, may see continuing visibility impacts from blowing dust and smoke from area wildfires. Expecting winds mostly diminish around sunrise. Throughout the day, winds gradually shift from northwesterly to southerly and even easterly at times.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

High Wind Warning until 10 PM CDT /9 PM MDT/ this evening for NEZ004-005-022>025-035-036-056-057-094. Red Flag Warning until 10 PM CDT /9 PM MDT/ this evening for NEZ204-206-208>210-219. High Wind Warning until 3 AM CDT Friday for NEZ006>010-026>029.