textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for northern Nebraska. Falling snow and fresh snow pack will allow for areas of blowing snow and reduced visibility.

- Colder temperatures arrive in the wake of this system, with widespread lows in the single digits Sunday morning.

- Cooler and mostly dry weather is expected behind this weekend's system, though some light snow showers are possible early week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 406 AM CST Fri Nov 28 2025

An upper level trough is observed across central Oregon this morning, which is expected to track southeast. Ahead of the trough, a surface low is expected to deepen off the lee of the Rocky Mountains. As this system tracks across the region, expecting that we see measureable snowfall across most of western and north central Nebraska, with highest local amounts expected across northern Nebraska into north central Nebraska. Latest guidance on this system, most notably high resolution guidance, suggests potential for an enhanced band of frontogenesis aloft, which supports a band of higher snowfall totals. This band is fairly consistently developing across northern portions of Nebraska into southern South Dakota. Additionally, there is greater suggestion that wrap around precipitation on the back side of the system will spread further west than previously expected. With all this in mind, have trended snowfall totals up, especially for areas along and north of Highway 2. On top of all of this, as the system tracks through the region, winds shift to northerly winds, gusting up to 40 mph. These strong wind gusts, along with freshly fallen and falling snow will allow for areas of blowing snow and reduced visibility across the region. Given the potential travel threats, have issued a Winter Weather Advisory across most of northern and north central Nebraska, in collaboration with our neighboring offices.

South of the Advisory, will be keeping an eye on the mixed precipitation potential at the onset of this storm. As the warm front tracks mostly along southern Nebraska, a slight warm nose aloft is expected across southern portions of the state. This will bring some concern for freezing drizzle and light freezing rain prior to an overnight switchover to snow across southern portions of Nebraska. Most notably, a light glaze may track as far north as Interstate 80, and possibly into far southern Custer County. Drivers should take care early Saturday morning, as this light glaze of ice and light snow cover may create some slippery and hazardous driving conditions.

Precipitation is expected to let up across most of the region Saturday afternoon, though the aforementioned wrap around snow may still impact portions of north central Nebraska through the evening. However, wind gusts are expected to continue through the late evening, which may still lead to some areas of blowing snow. Overnight, frigid temperatures overtake the region, with lows dropping into the low single digits across most of western and north central Nebraska, with some portions of northwest Nebraska potentially dropping into sub-zero temperatures. This will create very cold conditions Sunday morning, with wind chills generally at or below zero degrees. Cloudy skies persist on Sunday, which will help keep afternoon highs limited to the upper teens to 20s across most of the region.

LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 406 AM CST Fri Nov 28 2025

Northwesterly flow aloft continues through the week, keeping temperatures on the cooler side. Highs generally remain in the 30s to low 40s throughout most of the week, which is slightly cooler than our average highs in the mid 40s. Mostly dry conditions are expected through the week. However, a few shortwave disturbances may kick up a few light snow showers Monday morning and Tuesday night. At this time, little to no additional accumulation is expected with these weak disturbances.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1125 PM CST Thu Nov 27 2025

VFR conditions are expected across western and north central Nebraska through 15Z Friday. An approaching winter system will bring lowering ceilings to MVFR after 15Z Friday across southwest into central Nebraska. A chance for light snow at KVTN from 09Z until 15Z, though confidence is low on any visibility reductions and will not include attm. As the winter system moves into the area Friday evening, a slight chance for light snow with ceilings MVFR across much of western and north central Nebraska. Southeast winds will likely remain sustained at or above 12kts late Friday morning through the afternoon with gusts to 25kts across northern Nebraska including KVTN. Southeast winds quickly diminish Friday evening.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Winter Weather Advisory from 9 PM CST /8 PM MST/ this evening to noon CST /11 AM MST/ Saturday for NEZ004>010-028-029-094.