textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Freezing temperatures tonight, freeze warning has been issued

- Warmer temperatures this weekend with highs in the upper 60s to 70s

- Moderate to high confidence of warm and dry conditions Monday, Thursday, and Friday.

- Low to moderate confidence in showers and isolated thunderstorms Monday night through Wednesday night.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 341 PM CDT Fri May 1 2026

A frontal boundary is in place across the western portion of the state. Rain showers have developed along the boundary, however very little moisture is expected whit this shower activity. This is expected to continue at least through the rest of the afternoon before diminishing by this evening. Upper level northerly flow continues through tonight. Decided to go with a freeze warning across southwest and north central Nebraska, as temperatures will dip below normal tonight with lows ranging in the from around 25 to 30 degrees. Although a few of the latest models came in a few degrees warmer, still decided to trend with the cooler models, the 50th and 25th percentile. Light winds and any clouds associated with the light rain showers this afternoon are expected to clear out by late this evening, thus expect strong radiational cooling to take place tonight and confidence is high in seeing widespread freezing temperatures.

For this weekend, northwest flow continues on Saturday with an upper level high off to the west. There will be some weak WAA with 850mb temps ranging from 16 to 18 degrees across western Nebraska. Should see temperatures ranging in the low 70s on Saturday. For Sunday a very subtle boundary will move across the northern Sandhills cooling temperatures slightly...into the upper 60s. The warmest temperatures will remain to the south across the southern Sandhills where highs should reach the upper 70s.

LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 341 PM CDT Fri May 1 2026

Monday will continue the warm trend from the weekend, aided by a ridge breakdown to push highs in the mid to upper 70s (5 to 10 degrees above normal) with the potential for some low 80s in far southwest Nebraska. This will result in humidity dropping to as low as 20 percent. Elevated to near critical fire weather concerns will be prevail through the afternoon into the evening as gusty north northwest winds will spread across the western and central Sandhills.

A large upper trough will drop into the northern plains Monday night and move through the region by Wednesday evening. A frontal boundary will be across most of the Central Plains, allowing for the potential of some showers and isolated thunderstorms to develop. Severe storms are not expected at this time as instability remains on the weaker side. In terms of potential rainfall amounts, LREF has 30 to 50 percent probabilities of > 0.10" across southwest Nebraska while NBM is a little bit more aggressive at 50 to 60 percent. Regardless, Tuesday and Wednesday will be on the cooler side with highs barely cresting above 60 (about 5 to 10 degrees below normal).

Behind the upper trough, strong upper level ridging builds back into the region early Thursday morning. This will bring a return of a similar tune of fire concerns as high pressure ridging will bring continued warm, dry conditions through the late week. Continued monitoring will be maintained to refine the forecast but vigilance must remain as fuels remain dry and ready to burn.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 618 PM CDT Fri May 1 2026

VFR conditions are expected to prevail across western and north central Nebraka tonight and tomorrow. Skies continue to clear out this evening, becoming mostly clear through the night and remaining so tomorrow. Light and variable winds are expected through the night, becoming westerly by the morning hours. Light wind gusts, generally under 20 knots, are expected across northern Nebraska and the Sandhills tomorrow afternoon.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Freeze Warning from 1 AM CDT /midnight MDT/ to 8 AM CDT /7 AM MDT/ Saturday for NEZ006>010-022-025>029-035>038-056>059- 069>071.