textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Isolated thunderstorms are expected to develop late this afternoon into this evening across western Nebraska, mainly west of Highway 183. A few strong storms are possible, and may contain gusty winds and small hail. - Cooler on Saturday with continued chances for showers and a few thunderstorms.

- A system will move into the region Saturday night into Sunday, bringing widespread showers and a few thunderstorms to western and north central Nebraska.

- Cooler and breezy conditions are expected Monday, with minimal fire weather concerns due to higher humidity and scattered precipitation.

- Additional chances for precipitation may return through late next week, though confidence remains low.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/

Issued at 305 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026

Late this afternoon into tonight...a closed low will remain across southeastern Saskatchewan CA into tonight with an upper trough across the Northern Plains into western NE. There is a concern for thunderstorm development late this afternoon and into the evening. Some modest instability will exist south of Highway 2 with CAPE values up to 500 J/kg and 30-45kts of effective bulk shear by early evening. A cold front will also drop through the northwest Sandhills by early evening. A few strong storms are possible near the advancing cold front and further south into southwest Nebraska. Strong wind gusts to 50 mph and small hail are possible with the strongest storms. The highest POPs will be across north central Nebraska through tonight, where local rainfall amounts could exceed a quarter inch.

Saturday...much cooler behind an advancing cold front with highs 45 to 50 north central and 50 to 55 south. Status with low cloud ceilings in the morning will gradually improve during the afternoon. Chances for showers and a few thunderstorms, with the higher POPS east of Highway 83 during the morning into early afternoon.

Saturday night into Sunday...a large upper trough will move across the Desert Southwest to west of the Four Corners Region. Ahead of this feature, a shortwave trough in southwest flow aloft will bring widespread showers across western Nebraska by later Saturday night, and all of western and north central Nebraska on Sunday. This period will provide a very favorable opportunity for widespread rainfall. NBM ensemble probability of a half inch or more rainfall is from 55 to 75 percent across the forecast area. There will also be a threat for a few strong to severe storms across the southeastern half of the forecast area on Sunday, mainly southeast of a line from Grant through Ainsworth.

LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 305 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026

The weekend storm system will begin to exit the region Monday, with scattered showers expected through the day as the area remains on the backside of the low pressure system. Colder air will filter in behind the system, with highs Monday ranging from the upper 40s north to the mid 50s south. Breezy conditions will also develop, with northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts approaching 40 mph. Despite the wind, fire weather concerns will remain minimal due to scattered precipitation and relative humidity values generally in the 50 percent range. By Tuesday morning, surface high pressure will build south into the area, leading to lows at or below freezing. Another weak disturbance will move into the region Tuesday afternoon, bringing scattered rain chances. Some model guidance hints at light wet snow across the northern Sandhills, though current expectations are for precipitation to remain primarily rain. Highs on Tuesday will remain slightly below normal, generally in the upper 50s to lower 60s.

On Wednesday, this disturbance will shift east of the area, with northwest flow aloft leading to drier conditions and near-seasonal temperatures. While most guidance supports dry conditions, the EPS does indicate some precipitation chances Wednesday afternoon, mainly across western Nebraska, though confidence in this solution remains low. Highs will range from the upper 50s to mid 60s. Fire weather concerns should remain low, with relative humidity values mostly above 25 percent, lighter winds and the potential for wetting rainfall over the weekend. The exception may be far southwest Nebraska, where RH values could briefly approach 20 percent, though overall fire weather concerns remain limited.

Heading into late next week, an active pattern may return as another southern stream trough moves into the southwestern United States, promoting west-southwest flow aloft across the region. Confidence remains low in the timing and track of this system, as current guidance suggests it may remain south of the area. The system will continue to monitored over the next several days, but it could represent the next opportunity for beneficial moisture beyond the upcoming weekend system.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 105 PM CDT Fri Apr 24 2026

The main aviation concern will be thunderstorms late this afternoon and evening, which may affect the KLBF and KVTN terminals. An advancing clod front will be a focus for showers and thunderstorms beginning late this afternoon and continuing through the evening. Behind the cold front, ceilings will lower to IFR after 06Z at KVTN and 12Z at KLBF. The IFR ceilings are likely to persist through Saturday morning with chances for light rain.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.