textproduct: North Platte

KEY MESSAGES

- Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected late this afternoon and evening across the region. The greater severe threat remains across western and southwestern Nebraska, where large hail and damaging wind gusts are the main concerns.

- Showers and thunderstorms are expected to last overnight and throughout the day Thursday across the region. The severe risk is on the lower side, however, heavy rainfall will be a concern, given the duration of storms.

- Temperatures remain on the cooler side through Friday. By the weekend, expect a return to near or above seasonal highs as the pattern changes.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 333 PM CDT Wed Jun 24 2026

Several nights of active weather are expected across the region, with showers and thunderstorms possible each night in the short term. The greatest concern for severe weather will be late this afternoon and evening, with a lesser risk on Thursday. Regardless of severe risk, storms over the next 36 to 48 hours bring a risk for heavy rainfall across the region.

This afternoon and evening, instability continues to build across western Nebraska into the Sandhills, providing a more supportive severe weather environment as the day continues. As of the early afternoon, storms have already formed, tracking southeast across the northern Sandhills. A strong upper level jet brings deep layer shear across the region, which will support discrete cell development as the afternoon tracks into the evening. CAM guidance continues to suggest supercell development by mid to late afternoon across the Panhandle, with storms tracking into the Sandhills by late afternoon into the early evening. Given the anticipated environment, the main threats still appear to be large hail and damaging wind gusts, and so, an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for severe weather remains over portions of western Nebraska, with a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) across the Sandhills, western, and southwest Nebraska. Throughout the evening, a developing low will continue to slowly track to the east, keeping western Nebraska in vicinity of the frontal boundaries. The close proximity to the boundaries is expected to keep showers and thunderstorms continuing through the overnight hours. While the greater severe threat is expected to wind down around midnight, there is still some potential for strong, and potentially a few severe thunderstorms, to persist overnight. However, the main concern overnight will be heavy rainfall with any storm, especially training thunderstorms.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue throughout the day Thursday and potentially into the overnight hours again. Plenty of moisture remains across the region, with expected PWAT values exceeding 1 inch. Overcast skies are expected throughout the day, given the continuous shower and thunderstorm activity. The precipitation and cloud cover should combine to help keep temperatures on the cooler side tomorrow, with highs expected to only reach the 60s across most of the region. These cooler temperatures combined with cloud cover may also limit the ability for greater instability to build across the region. However, there will still be the presence of a stronger upper level jet, providing deep layer shear across the region. While the overall severe weather environment tomorrow looks less than favorable, there is still a Marginal Risk (Level 1 of 5) for severe weather across the region. This does look to be fairly conditional on whether or not instability will be able to build in, if there are some breaks in precipitation and cloud cover. If a more favorable severe weather environment were to be realized, the main threats would be strong wind gusts and potentially large hail. However, this is very conditional on whether greater instability builds across the region. Regardless, the higher PWAT values will keep a threat for heavier rainfall across the region, which is further increased given the expected duration of precipitation.

Looking ahead to Friday, expect a brief period of drier weather Friday morning, with building chances of showers and thunderstorms across western Nebraska in the afternoon and evening. Greatest chances for thunderstorms appears to be across portions of the Panhandle by the late afternoon into the evening. More robust instability is expected across far western Nebraska, with modest deep layer shear. This may support organized convection across western Nebraska, though the severe weather threat is still a bit uncertain at this time. Showers may linger into Friday night, before a pattern change arrives this weekend.

LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 333 PM CDT Wed Jun 24 2026

By Saturday, upper level ridging begins to track across the region, bringing a return of warming weather across the region. Highs this weekend are expected to climb into the mid to upper 80s, with potential for some areas to break into the lower 90s. There remains a discrepancy between the European and GEFS ensembles for highs breaking 90 this weekend across most of the region, with the European ensembles continuing to favor cooler highs. In fact, the European ensembles have lowered the probability for temperatures to break 90 this weekend, generally less than a 20 percent chance now, while the GEFS has increased chances, with the GEFS now suggesting a 90 percent chance of breaking into the 90s by Sunday. Regardless of whether we break into the 90s, temperatures are likely to feel a bit warmer after the cooler weather this week, so be prepared if you have outdoor plans. Warmer temperatures are expected to linger into next week, with highs remaining around the upper 80s and potentially lower 90s. For now, expecting a relatively dry forecast throughout the day, with chances for showers and thunderstorms each night.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 1231 PM CDT Wed Jun 24 2026

Mostly VFR conditions are expected this afternoon across western and north central Nebraska. However, developing showers and thunderstorms throughout the afternoon and evening may introduce brief MVFR to IFR ceilings, as well as the risk for gusty, erratic winds. By this evening, more expansive showers and thunderstorms are expected across southwest Nebraska, keeping ceilings MVFR to IFR through the overnight period and into the morning.

LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.