textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- A Slight Risk (level 2 of 5) of severe thunderstorms across much of western and north cental Nebraska from late this afternoon through this evening. Large hail and damaging winds are possible, and a tornado or two is also possible.

- Above average temperatures combined with ample humidity and upper level support, will bring an unsettled period to the area Monday right though Friday. Scattered thunderstorms are expected much of the week. Later forecasts will determine any potential strong or severe storms.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 129 AM CDT Sat May 30 2026

At 06Z, an MCV was located over northwest Lincoln County, with a widespread area of showers and a few embedded thunderstorms north into west central NE. Thunderstorms extend to the east across Blaine, Loup and eastern Custer County. This activity will spread northeast into north central NE and weaken/dissipate somewhat through daybreak.

Today, a closed upper low will reside over southwest WY, with a negatively tilted trough extending through southeast CO by late afternoon. Surface low pressure will deepen to near 997mb across eastern CO into western KS. North of the surface low, a deep easterly to southeasterly flow will reside across Nebraska. Dewpoints will likely range from 60 to 65 east of Merriman through Hayes Center. A well defined warm front should become located from near Holyoke CO through Oberlin KS by 00Z, with much drier and warmer air south of the warm front. SBCAPEs will likely range from 2500-3500 J/kg across western NE, possibly higher just north of the warm front, where 0-6km shear will range from 30-45kts and 0-3km Helicity 150-250. H85-H7 lapse rates will be very steep near 10C/km south of the warm front across western KS into extreme southwest NE. As the upper trough approaches the region, isolated supercells may develop north of the warm front across northeast CO and far southwest Nebraska. Storm motion for right moving supercells is northeast at 20kts. The initial severe weather threat looks to be across southwestern NE, the panhandle and western Sandhills early evening. Large hail and damaging winds are likely with any storms. There is also a risk for a tornado or two early in the evening, especially north of the warm front (I80 and south). Coverage of storms should become more scattered and may congeal into a few large clusters of storms mid to late evening across north central NE, with large hail and damaging winds still possible. Sunday, a surface trough will advance east to near Ainsworth through Broken Bow by late afternoon, with westerly winds 10 to 20 mph behind the trough. Looks like a mostly sunny and dry day, with dewpoints falling to 35 to 45 across the west. With gusts to 25 mph possible across the western Sandhills and far southwest and humidity as low as 15 percent, near critical fire conditions are possible. Any thunderstorms should remain to our north across South Dakota and to the east across the Mid Missouri Valley.

Sunday night, a weak cold front will push through with drier air behind the front. Lows from 45 to 55 with a mostly clear sky.

LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 129 AM CDT Sat May 30 2026

Appears Monday through much of next week will be rather unsettled across much of the region. Plenty of low-level moisture will be in place with dew points in the upper 50s to lower and mid 60s for much of the week. Upper level low pressure will slowly work it's way eastward from the northern Rockies Monday to near the Winnipeg area by Thursday. This will keep our area in a west to southwest flow regime between the upper low to the north and upper level ridging across the Southern Plains. Several weak disturbances will be embedded within the flow aloft, and scattered convection is likely at times. Flow aloft will support the potential for some stronger storms at times, but too early to determine exact timing and location. Otherwise, quite warm through the week. Highs will average in the mid 80s Monday right through Friday. This is about 5 to 8 degrees above average for this time of year.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 1245 AM CDT Sat May 30 2026

An area of MVFR and IFR ceilings will continue to expand across much of central into north central Nebraska overnight and then dissipate by late this morning (Saturday). Otherwise, scattered thunderstorms will locally gusty winds will be likely across southwest into portions of central Nebraska through early this morning. Scattered late afternoon strong thunderstorms are expected to develop across far southwest Nebraska and then lift north and northeast across the area during the evening.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.