246
FXUS63 KLBF 092345
AFDLBF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
545 PM CST Fri Jan 9 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Snow potential Saturday across north central Nebraska

- Elevated fire weather conditions this weekend into early next
  week

- Warmer above normal temperatures return Sunday into early next
  week

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 435 PM CST Fri Jan 9 2026

The greatest concern will be the snow potential across
north central Nebraska, and fire weather concerns across far
southwest Nebraska. Snow showers will be possible Saturday morning
into the afternoon. Snowfall amounts are expected to be light and
not expecting widespread snowfall as activity will mainly be in the
form of snow showers. Confidence is medium to high that snowfall
amounts will be less than 1 inch in most locations as probabilities
of seeing snowfall fall greater than 1 inch are around 25 percent or
less. The main uncertainty lies in the exact location of the
snowfall as there has been some inconstancy with the models on
how far west the snow shower activity will be, but generally
expect snowfall to be east of HWY 183. There could also be the
potential for shower activity to lead to quickly changing
visibility reductions, and could potentially see blowing snow
with stronger winds as well, although the strongest winds will
be across southwest Nebraska. For southwest Nebraska soundings
do show the potential if we have good mixing for wind gust of 40
mph or greater in some locations. The combination of dry, warm
conditions across southwest Nebraska will lead to elevated fire
weather concerns.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 435 PM CST Fri Jan 9 2026

Ridging to the west and northwest flow will be in place
Sunday through early next week. Temperature will rebound back to
above normal with highs in 50s and 60s Sunday through Tuesday. This
will also lead to elevated fire weather concerns each of those days.
Min RH will range from near 20 to 30 percent on Sunday and Monday
across western Nebraska and the Sandhills with wind gust around 20
mph on both days. Tuesday min RH will be higher around 25 to 35
percent across southwest Nebraska, however winds will be strong with
gust of 25 mph. As far as precipitation chances, dry conditions are
expected to remain through Tuesday.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 544 PM CST Fri Jan 9 2026

VFR conditions are expected to prevail across western and north
central Nebraska tonight, with MVFR conditions across north central
Nebraska by late morning. Tonight, a strong low level jet develops
across western Nebraska, bringing strong northwest winds above the
surface. This will bring fairly widespread LLWS concerns across the
region. Timing of the LLWS is based off forecast soundings, which
have strong consistency on timing and intensity. By morning, these
winds aloft begin to mix to the surface, creating gusty conditions
across the region, especially across western and southwestern
Nebraska. Meanwhile, a disturbance brings the risk for light
snowfall across north central Nebraska late morning and
afternoon, where MVFR conditions are expected. With the gusty
winds and falling snow, visibility may be impacted, however this
will be greatly dependent on snowfall rates. By evening,
conditions are expected to return to VFR region wide.

&&

.LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Gomez
LONG TERM...Gomez
AVIATION...Richie

NWS LBF Office Area Forecast Discussion