textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Strong, gusty northwest winds will be the main driver of a busy weather day across western and north central Nebraska. Winds may gust in excess of 65 mph this afternoon across the region.

- The strong winds this afternoon will lead to critical fire weather concerns across southwestern Nebraska, where a Red Flag Warning is in effect. Near critical fire weather conditions may last throughout the weekend.

- Across north central Nebraska today, the strong winds combined with falling snow may lead to areas of blowing snow and reduced visibility. Though new snow accumulations are expected to be around 1 inch, locally heaver amounts will be possible in banded snowfall. As such, a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued.

- Temperatures fluctuate throughout the week, largely driven by the location of the jet stream. A dry forecast, and warmer temperatures in some locations, may lead to continued fire weather concerns into the work week.

UPDATE

Issued at 934 AM CST Fri Jan 16 2026

Just updated the forecast to add Eastern Cherry county to the winter weather advisory. Over the past hour, some locally intense snow showers have impacted the Valentine area. These snow showers will be very sporadic, locally reducing visibilities as they pass. Snow accumulations are still expected to be an inch or less in eastern Cherry County, however wind gusts in the 40 to 60 MPH range will combine with the snow showers to produce near zero visibilities over short distances.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/

Issued at 358 AM CST Fri Jan 16 2026

A busy day of impactful weather is expected across western and north central Nebraska today, largely driven by the High Wind Warning across the region. Strong winds aloft will continue to mix to the surface throughout the night lasting through the evening. Wind gusts this afternoon across most of the region are expected to exceed 55 mph, with some areas, especially across western Nebraska, exceeding 65 mph. Sustained winds of 30 to 45 mph are also expected. These strong winds and wind gusts will create difficult travel conditions, with strong cross winds on area roads and highways.

Across southwest Nebraska, the strong winds will also lead to critical fire weather conditions. Poor humidity recovery overnight will contribute to lower relative humidity throughout the day. Relative humidity is expected to drop into the low 20 percent range this afternoon across southwest Nebraska. Although these relative humidity values are forecast to remain just above critical thresholds, the strong wind gusts will be sufficient to create critical fire weather conditions. Any fire starts will have the potential to rapidly grow and spread with these winds. As such, have continued the Red Flag Warning across southwest Nebraska for this afternoon into the evening.

Across portions of north central Nebraska, snow is expected this afternoon, and combined with the strong winds, areas of blowing snow are expected this afternoon across north central Nebraska. The concern for blowing snow has prompted the issuance of a Winter Weather Advisory across north central Nebraska through this evening.

As for accumulations, the latest forecast continues to trend towards increasing snowfall amounts. While most portions of north central Nebraska are expected to receive around one inch of accumulations, there is some growing concern for more banded snowfall, which may lead to locally higher amounts. Latest guidance suggests potential for pockets of instability and strong mid to low level lapse rates, further supporting the potential for banded snowfall. However, these is some uncertainty remaining in where this potential band of heavier snowfall will set up. Have blended in some of the higher resolution guidance to the forecast, which brings in some stripes of higher snowfall between Ainsworth and O'Neill, with new amounts around 1.5 inches. That being said, thinking that snowfall amounts under some of the stronger bands could reach up to 3 inches in some locations. Regardless of amounts, higher snowfall rates and very gusty winds will create hazardous travel conditions throughout the day from areas of blowing snow. Take care if you must travel in north central Nebraska today! Behind all of this snow and a secondary cold frontal passage, temperatures will drop off tonight.

LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 358 AM CST Fri Jan 16 2026

As the cold front passes through the region this afternoon, colder temperatures remain in its wake. This will cause sharp drop off in temperatures tonight into early Saturday morning. Winds remain strong early Saturday morning, with gusts up to 35 mph. These strong winds and cold temperatures will result in very cold wind chills Saturday morning, with wind chills ranging from 10 to 25 below zero across most of western and north central Nebraska. There has been some consistency in these frigid wind chills in the last few forecast cycles, so think there is some potential that cold weather headlines may be needed in the next forecast cycle.

For the rest of Saturday, cold temperatures remain across the region with highs ranging from the teens in north central Nebraska to the upper 20s across the Panhandle. Wind chills remain subzero across north central Nebraska to the low teens across western Nebraska. Despite the cold temperatures, low relative humidity is expected across most of western and southwestern Nebraska, with afternoon humidity in the low teens. North to northwesterly winds gusting up to 40 mph may will likely lead to near critical to critical fire weather conditions across western and southwestern Nebraska again on Saturday. Will continue to keep an eye on this period, as additional Red Flag Warnings may be needed Saturday.

Upper level ridging attempts to track over the region Sunday afternoon, which should bring warmer temperatures across the region. In fact, should see a rebound of temperatures to the upper 30s to upper 40s across the region. While humidity values are expected to remain above 30 percent across most of the region, strong winds aloft are again expected to mix to the surface, with strong northwesterly winds of 25 to 35 mph gusting up to 45 mph. This may again lead to more wind driven fire weather concerns Sunday afternoon. The threat for stronger winds on Sunday are further reinforced by the ECMWF EFI/SoT, highlighting a 70 to 80 percent chance of anomalously strong winds across western and north central Nebraska. With all this in mind, there may be an additional need for fire weather headlines again on Sunday.

Looking ahead into the week, the upper level jet tracks across central Nebraska, which introduces the possibility of several shortwaves tracking across portions of north central Nebraska, while western Nebraska remains more under a ridge. For now, this appears to be a mostly dry pattern across the region, with little precipitation expected. This will also lead to a temperature gradient settling across the region, which is expected to subtly track east and west throughout the week. Under the more ridged regions, near seasonal to above seasonal temperatures are expected to persist, while areas impacted by shortwaves are expected to see cooler temperatures. Will continue to monitor these trends throughout the week, however, the location of the jet stream will largely dictate temperatures throughout the week. With the dry forecast, some somewhat warmer temperatures, fire weather concerns are likely to remain throughout portions of the region throughout the week. Again, will continue to monitor these trends and refine as we approach early week.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 540 AM CST Fri Jan 16 2026

Strong, gusty northwest winds are expected across all of western and north central Nebraska today, with a High Wind Warning in effect through this evening. In addition to strong surface gusts in excess of 50 knots, winds aloft are expected to remain very strong in the lowest 2000 ft agl, with winds remaining at or above 50 knots throughout the day. Snow showers are already underway across portions of north central Nebraska, and combined with the strong winds, will lead to areas of blowing snow and reduced visibility. Under these showers, conditions are expected to remain IFR to LIFR through late this evening. A brief return to VFR is possible, before lower ceilings drop north central Nebraska back to at least MVFR overnight. Through the rest of the region, while VFR conditions are expected, the strong surface winds will remain the primary aviation concern.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 358 AM CST Fri Jan 16 2026

Critical fire weather conditions are expected across southwest Nebraska today, driven by strong northwesterly wind gusts and low relative humidity. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for fire weather zones 210 and 219, where afternoon humidity values drop into the low 20 percent range. Winds in the Red Flag Warning are expected to remain around 40 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph. Although the Red Flag Warning is located across southwest Nebraska, the entire region is under a High Wind Warning, with afternoon wind gusts potentially exceeding 65 mph. Though humidity values may remain above critical values, any fire starts today will have the potential for rapid spread.

Elevated to near critical fire weather conditions are expected to last this weekend, especially across western and southwestern Nebraska due to low relative humidity values and gusty northwesterly winds. Although no headlines have been issued for this weekend, additional headlines may be needed if the forecast remains on track. Saturday, afternoon humidity values drop into the low teens across western Nebraska, especially areas west of Highway 83. Winds gusting between 35 to 40 mph are possible. Stronger wind gusts are possible on Sunday, with peak gusts around 45 mph, however, humidity values are expected to remain above 30 percent. Will continue to monitor these conditions closely.

Looking ahead to next week, areas in western Nebraska may see above average temperatures along with lower relative humidity values. Some questions remains on how strong wind gusts will be next week. However, a dry and windy pattern is expected, which may bring additional fire weather concerns.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

High Wind Warning until 6 PM CST /5 PM MST/ this evening for NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094. Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for NEZ005>010. Red Flag Warning until 6 PM CST /5 PM MST/ this evening for NEZ210-219.