415
FXUS63 KLBF 172016
AFDLBF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
216 PM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Gusty northwest winds this evening and overnight, with gusts
  of 40 to 50 mph possible.

- High Wind Warning in effect for all of western and north
  central Nebraska Thursday. Northwest winds 35 to 45 mph with
  gusts from 60 to 70 mph at times.

- Chance of light rain this evening, then dry conditions
  through the weekend.

- Elevated fire weather concerns Thursday, especially across
  west central and southwest Nebraska.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Issued at 216 PM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

Tonight, a clipper system will move into south central North
Dakota. This will drive a cold front quickly south across the
forecast area during the evening. Northwest winds 25 to 35 mph
behind the front, with gusts 40 to 45 mph. Could see brief
gusts to 50 mph during the cold frontal passage. Also a chance
for light rain across nctrl NE this evening, with a slight
chance as far south as I80. The light rain is expected the exit
east of the area before the colder air moves in. Northwest
winds increase behind the front before daybreak, with gusts to
50 mph near the NE/SD border.

Thursday, A High Wind Warning is in effect from 6 AM until 6 PM
CST across all of western and north central Nebraska. With a
closed upper low moving from northeastern SD mid morning to
southern MN mid afternoon, a tight H5 and H7 gradient exists
for deep mixing. With H7 winds from 70-80kts, guidance supports
frequent gusts from 40 to 55 kts. Strong cold air advection with
colder air dropping south. Highs only in the upper 20s northeast
actually fall into the mid 20s late morning and afternoon. Upper
30s to around 40 southwest NE, where cold air advection is
weak. The strongest winds will be during the morning until mid
afternoon, then diminishing through late afternoon.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Issued at 216 PM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

Surface high pressure builds in Thursday evening with light
winds. Lows from the upper teens to low 20s.

Much warmer Friday as a warm front pushes east during the
morning. Westerly H85 winds will mix down much warmer air aloft
with highs reaching the upper 50s to low to mid 60s. A cold
front Friday night, with cooler, yet still above normal highs
Saturday from 40 to 45, and mid 40s to low 50s Sunday.

A broad upper ridge builds over the region Monday and Tuesday
with mild highs in the upper 50s low 60s Monday and 50s
Tuesday.

Dry conditions expected during the entire long term period.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 1118 AM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

Winds will be the main concern in the forecast period for all of
western and north central Nebraska, including KVTN and KLBF
terminals. Surface winds will be southwest this afternoon with
gusts to near 30kts at KLBF and 40kts at KVTN. Winds turning
west then northwest this evening as a cold front passes
through with gusts from 30 to 40kts this evening and overnight.
High winds expected Thursday with gusts near 50kts at KLBF and
KVTN through 18Z Thursday.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 216 PM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

Elevated fire weather concerns on Thursday with a High Wind
Warning in effect. Strong northwest winds of 35 to 45 mph with
gusts of 60 to 70 mph. Minimum afternoon humidity from 25 to 35
percent expected across fire zones 204, 206, 210 and 219. The
greatest threat for elevated fire conditions are expected in
these fire zones, where large fire growth is possible.

&&

.LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
High Wind Warning from 6 AM CST /5 AM MST/ to 6 PM CST /5 PM
MST/ Thursday for NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-
094.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Roberg
LONG TERM...Roberg
AVIATION...Roberg
FIRE WEATHER...Roberg

NWS LBF Office Area Forecast Discussion