textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Dry conditions will continue through the end of next week.

- Temperatures increase back into the 50s and 60s through next week with the warmest days being Monday and Wednesday where record breaking highs are possible.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 345 AM CST Sun Dec 21 2025

Upper level ridging will continue to build across the western US today allowing for surface high pressure continue pushing into the region. After some colder temperatures yesterday, temperatures begin to a gradual warming trend today as warm air advection into the region brings 850 mb temperatures in the 4 to 10 C range across north central Nebraska. This will result in surface highs returning into the low 50s with lows in the upper 20s to mid 30s. These temperatures will be nearly 10 degrees above normals (normal high: low 40s; normal low: low teens) with even warmer temperatures to come this week.

LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/

Issued at 345 AM CST Sun Dec 21 2025

Upper level ridging will continue to prevail through the end of the week keeping surface high pressure over the central Plains and resulting dry and pleasant conditions through the end of the next week. The main weather concern will be the increasing temperatures as warm air advection continues to usher in a much warmer airmass. Forecasted 850 mb temperatures in the 12 to 17 C range will persist allowing for surface highs to easily rise into the mid to upper 50s for most of the days next week. The exception will be on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday where slightly warmer conditions will push highs into the mid to upper 60s. These warmer temperatures may result in some record highs being challenged. Record highs on Monday are in the low 70s for all four sites, with current forecasted highs in the upper 60s for BBW, LBF, and IML. Valentine may have the best potential to break a record on Monday as the current forecast stands at 70 with a record of 70 degrees. There is a better chance to break records on Wednesday where records are slightly lower (LBF: 62; VTN: 59; BBW: 60). The current forecast has highs in the mid to upper 60s at all three of these sites. The latest probabilities show that slightly higher temperatures could still occur, so while Imperial doesn't appear to break a record with the going forecast (record is 67 and currently forecasting 67), it is still entirely within reach. For Thursday, IML, LBF, and BBW have the potential to break or tie records. Slightly cooler air will start to push into northern Nebraska, keeping VTN just below record (65). This cooler air will push south into the entire region by Friday, dropping temperatures back into the 50s for Friday and Saturday.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z MONDAY/

Issued at 555 AM CST Sun Dec 21 2025

The main aviation concern will be some increasing southerly winds this afternoon. These stronger winds will diminish after sunset, but across northern Nebraska will continue overnight. Both KVTN and KLBF have the potential to see some wind shear tonight as well as the low level jet intensifies. Otherwise, dry and VFR ceilings are expected into Monday morning.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.