textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Showers and thunderstorms continue through this morning

- Strong gusty winds this morning and afternoon

- Warmer temperatures heading into the holiday weekend with 90s on Memorial Day

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 221 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

The main concern in the short term will be the ongoing showers and thunderstorms. Expect the first line of storms situated over portions of southwest Nebraska into central and north central Nebraska to continue to slowly move eastward into central Nebraska as the early morning hours progress. A secondary line across western Nebraska is expected to slowly move eastward into the Sandhills then east into central Nebraska. The HRRR had the best handle of the convection this morning, thus trended PoPs towards the HRRR. Kept PoPs at 50 percent or higher through 12z as confidence remains high in the two lines of storms continuing to slowly move eastward through sunrise. Expect convection to be out of the area by early afternoon. As the precipitation exits the area, skies will become clear and should see temperatures rise into the mid to upper 60s. A Low Pressure system will move across the region into SD. Winds will increase this morning across western Nebraska into eastern Nebraska as the system moves east. Winds will initially be eastward, then transition to the northwest. Sustained winds will be around 25 to 30 mph with gust around 35 to 40 mph. The strongest winds will be across the northern Sandhills, closer to the Low. Winds will diminish this evening.

LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 221 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

An upper level ridge begins to build in from the west this weekend and continues to expand eastward through the Holiday weekend. Will see the warmest temperatures on Memorial Day as the Upper level ridge becomes centered over the CONUS. Widespread temperatures in the low 90s expected are expected on Monday along with breezy southerly winds in the afternoon with sustained winds around 10 to 20 mph and gusts up to 30 mph or greater.

Beyond Memorial day there will be an upper level low that moves into the PAC NW Tuesday, pushing the upper level ridge eastward into the Great Lakes region. As the upper level low moves eastward through the week, should see southerly flow advect moisture into the region, leading to increasing precipitation chances, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 638 AM CDT Fri May 22 2026

Showers and thunderstorms across north central Nebraska and the Sandhills will continue to move eastward this morning and be out of the area by early afternoon. Brief visibility reductions and gusty erratic winds will be the main concerns. Winds will be breezy through the afternoon out of the northwest around 15 to 25 kts with gusts up to 35 kts. Winds will diminish by early evening with winds around 10 kts.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.