textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Gusty northwest winds this evening and overnight, with gusts of 40 to 50 mph possible.

- High Wind Warning in effect for all of western and north central Nebraska Thursday. Northwest winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts from 60 to 70 mph at times.

- Chance of light rain this evening, then dry conditions through the weekend.

- Elevated fire weather concerns Thursday, especially across west central and southwest Nebraska.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 216 PM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

Tonight, a clipper system will move into south central North Dakota. This will drive a cold front quickly south across the forecast area during the evening. Northwest winds 25 to 35 mph behind the front, with gusts 40 to 45 mph. Could see brief gusts to 50 mph during the cold frontal passage. Also a chance for light rain across nctrl NE this evening, with a slight chance as far south as I80. The light rain is expected the exit east of the area before the colder air moves in. Northwest winds increase behind the front before daybreak, with gusts to 50 mph near the NE/SD border.

Thursday, A High Wind Warning is in effect from 6 AM until 6 PM CST across all of western and north central Nebraska. With a closed upper low moving from northeastern SD mid morning to southern MN mid afternoon, a tight H5 and H7 gradient exists for deep mixing. With H7 winds from 70-80kts, guidance supports frequent gusts from 40 to 55 kts. Strong cold air advection with colder air dropping south. Highs only in the upper 20s northeast actually fall into the mid 20s late morning and afternoon. Upper 30s to around 40 southwest NE, where cold air advection is weak. The strongest winds will be during the morning until mid afternoon, then diminishing through late afternoon.

LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 216 PM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

Surface high pressure builds in Thursday evening with light winds. Lows from the upper teens to low 20s.

Much warmer Friday as a warm front pushes east during the morning. Westerly H85 winds will mix down much warmer air aloft with highs reaching the upper 50s to low to mid 60s. A cold front Friday night, with cooler, yet still above normal highs Saturday from 40 to 45, and mid 40s to low 50s Sunday.

A broad upper ridge builds over the region Monday and Tuesday with mild highs in the upper 50s low 60s Monday and 50s Tuesday.

Dry conditions expected during the entire long term period.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 552 PM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

Strong gusty surface winds and low-level wind shear will be of concern through Thursday. Spotty light showers could also occur through tonight. Overall VFR conditions will prevail through Thursday.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

High Wind Warning from 6 AM CST /5 AM MST/ to 6 PM CST /5 PM MST/ Thursday for NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071- 094.