021
FXUS63 KLBF 132359
AFDLBF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
559 PM CST Tue Jan 13 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Precipitation chances linger into this evening

- A brief cool down on Wednesday, with highs mostly in the 40s,
  with even cooler temperatures Friday and Saturday

- Strong winds expected Thursday and Friday, with strongest
  winds on Friday

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 416 PM CST Tue Jan 13 2026

The main concern in the short term will be the continued
precipitation chances. We have already seen around 0.2" of rainfall
in some locations across the northern Sandhills with the fgn band
that has developed leading to higher qpf values than initially
expected. This has made rainfall activity become more stratiform in
nature, however still continuing to monitor for the development of
more convective type showers, generally after sunset. Although
confidence is lowering in seeing the dry lightning and gusty wind
aspect to the showers, it still can`t be ruled out. Precipitation
will start to diminish after midnight, however there is an isolated
chance of a lingering shower in the early morning hours.
Temperautres will be slightly cooler on Wednesday with highs only in
the upper 30s to low 40s across north central Nebraska, but the cool
down will be brief as a return to warmer temperatures return for
Thursday.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Issued at 416 PM CST Tue Jan 13 2026

The main concern in the long term will be strong northwest
winds and fire weather concerns. A distrubancefor Friday with
the combination of dry, warm moves through Thursday and in
advance of the system will see winds increase out of the
northwest Thursday. Wind gusts of 40 to 45 mph will be anticipated
widespread across western and north central Nebraska. Probablistic
models are indicating increasing confidence in stronger winds
across the northern Sandhills with probabilities greater than
80% thus may need to increase winds across the northern
Sandhills if the trend continues. For Friday SOT indicates a
stronger signal thus forecaster confidence continues to
increase. Probability models have been consistent with winds in
excess of 50 mph along with the potential increasing in 60 mph
winds or greater and thus may see the need for headlines in the
upcoming days.

Strong winds on Thursday and Friday will also lead to increase in
fire potential both days as well. Min RH will range from near 20 to
30 percent across southwest and western Nebraska both days and will
need to continue to monitor trends as elevated fire weather
potential is expected, however could see a potential for near-
critical concerns as well.

As far as temperatures, a cool down is expected Friday and Saturday
after the cold front passage and will see widespread highs Friday in
the 30s across all of western and north central Nebraska and on
Saturday highs only in the mid 20s to 30 across north central
Nebraska into the Sandhills.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 556 PM CST Tue Jan 13 2026

A band of light rain continues to quickly move south and will
depart western Nebraska early in the forecast period. This
includes exiting the LBF airspace. VFR conditions will likely
exist for a few hours before low-stratus infiltrates the area
in the post-frontal airmass. This should lead to MVFR if not IFR
CIGs for area terminals. Confidence in IFR is limited so will
omit at this time and monitor trends.

Closer to daybreak on Wednesday, light showers in the form of
RA/SN will move out of South Dakota and into west central
Nebraska. This will likely lead to impacts at VTN though precise
timing and magnitude is uncertain given small scale of expected
activity. Will limit to VCSH for now and attempt to hone in on
greater detail with next forecast issuance. Conditions improve
towards the end of the period with a return to VFR expected.

&&

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

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Gomez
LONG TERM...Gomez
AVIATION...NMJ

NWS LBF Office Area Forecast Discussion