textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- High confidence in dry conditions through the weekend.

- High confidence in hot, above normal temperatures returning through Sunday with highs across north central approaching or exceeding 100 degrees.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 315 PM CDT Mon Jul 13 2026

Upper level ridging extending from the west coast to the east coast will keep strong surface high pressure in place over the central US through the middle of the week. With warm air advection pushing a warmer airmass across the Rockies and into the western Great Plains, temperatures will continue their gradual warming trend. With 850 mb temperatures in the 24 to 30 C range, expect highs to range from the low 90s across southwest and south central Nebraska to the upper 90s north of US-20. Overnight lows will also slowly rise, dropping into the low to mid 60s through mid-week. Some stronger winds will also be possible during the daytime with gusts up to 30 mph at times. Otherwise, conditions will remain dry with clear to mostly clear skies.

LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/

Issued at 315 PM CDT Mon Jul 13 2026

Strong upper level ridging will remain across the region through the weekend keeping surface high pressure over the central Plains. Dry conditions are expected to persist with a return to much hotter temperatures. Expect highs to rise into the mid 90s to low 100s into the first half of the weekend. However, latest probabilities suggest these highs may still be a few degrees too cold, especially on Friday and Saturday. The probability of hitting 95 degrees or higher is near 60 percent for most locations with up to a 80 percent (or higher) probability along and north of US-20. Looking at the potential of hitting 100 degrees of higher, there is currently 60 to 65 percent probability across northern and portions of north central Nebraska (generally along and north of US-20) on Friday and Saturday. Therefore, increased highs slightly for both days, which indeed put portions of northern Holt and much of Boyd county in triple digits. However if trends continue to increase, highs may still be needed to increase a few more degrees warmer from what is currently being forecasted. These forecasted highs could result in heat indicies in the 100 to 105 degree range, potentially higher, across portions of north central Nebraska by late week as well. If this forecast holds, will likely need to issue some heat headlines for late this week.

In addition, there is a strong signal that there will be some strong winds throughout the week. Gusts up to 30 to 40 mph could easily be achieved, with potentially higher gusts especially across the Sandhills. While not quite warning criteria, these stronger winds will pose a threat to fire weather concerns, returning to near- critical by mid to end of the week.

By the end of the weekend, NBM has introduced some slight chance (20 percent) PoPs for portions of the Sandhills. Confidence is very low in this as the majority of the models suggest a dry forecast through early next week. However, while it's mentioned here, would not be surprised to see these PoPs removed in the coming days.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 630 PM CDT Mon Jul 13 2026

VFR conditions with mainly SKC will prevail through Tuesday afternoon at the KLBF and KVTN terminals. The main aviation concern will be gusty south winds at the KVTN terminal the next 24 hours, where winds will gust to around 25KT. At KLBF a southeast wind to 10KT tonight, increasing to 16010G18KT after 16Z, with gusts to 20KT after 18Z.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.