textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Low chances for showers and a few thunderstorms across the western Sandhills this evening and overnight. A few storms may contain strong wind gusts this evening.

- Friday through Saturday night, very warm, with low chances for showers/thunderstorms mainly during the evening and overnight. - Increased chances for showers/thunderstorms Sunday through Wednesday with above normal temperatures persisting.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 341 PM CDT Wed Sep 2 2026

Tonight...An upper trough will extend across the Northwestern U.S. with a closed low off the coast of WA/OR. Meanwhile, an upper ridge remains centered over the Southeast U.S. Across the Central Plains, southwest flow aloft remains established. A shortwave disturbance currently located from southeast WY and north central CO will track northeast this evening and overnight. Convection will initiate across the higher terrain to our west this afternoon, tracking into the northwest Sandhills this evening and overnight. Soundings indicate an inverted-V up to 600mb, and downdraft CAPEs up to 1200 J/kg. This supports a threat for locally severe wind gusts this evening. The area of concern is for areas west of Lisco through Merriman. The latest CAMs are in good agreement on the location and timing, ending by 12Z. The latest few runs of the RRFS do continue the threat for showers/storms across the central Sandhills into Thursday morning, so this remains a possibility. Lows tonight in the low to mid 60s.

Thursday...the upper level ridge builds into the region slightly. Highs in the lower 90s, except around 95 southwest. Across the western Sandhills, northwest winds 10 to 20 mph and afternoon humidity as low as 15 to 25 percent will create elevated fire concerns. While a few morning showers can't be ruled out Thursday morning, dry conditions are expected Thursday afternoon into Thursday night.

LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 341 PM CDT Wed Sep 2 2026

Upper level ridging will gradually build into the region Friday and Saturday of Labor Day weekend. This will bring very warm temperatures in the low to mid 90s, with upper 90s southwest. Atmospheric moisture from New Mexico and Colorado will increase into the region with south southwesterly flow aloft. Low chances for showers/thunderstorms southwest and east Friday night, with low chances across much of the area Saturday night. By Sunday and Monday, the upper ridge may begin to flatten out as an upper trough moves front the Intermountain west into the Northern Plains. Highs remain around 10 degrees above normal in the upper 80s to lower 90s. PWATs will increase some during this time with chance POPs Sunday night and again Monday night. NBM 24 hours probability of exceeding 0.25 inch ending 12Z Monday and again 12Z Tuesday, ranges from 20 to 40 percent.

The upper trough is forecast to flatten out by next Wednesday as an upper trough moves into the Great Lakes. This may bring some relief from the heat with highs from 80 to around 85.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1230 AM CDT Thu Sep 3 2026

VFR conditions are expected to prevail across western and north central Nebraska throughout the effective TAF period. A few high based rain showers are tracking across western Nebraska tonight and are expected to persist through the overnight hours. As these move out of the area, expect mostly clear skies with westerly winds through the afternoon. Winds across the Sandhills and portions of north central Nebraska may get gusty, with gusts up to 20 knots throughout the day. By the evening, expecting gusts to stop as an inversion develops.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.