832
FXUS63 KLBF 051020
AFDLBF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
420 AM CST Thu Feb 5 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Near record temperatures expected today with widespread 60s

- Mild temperatures will continue through into the weekend, with
  highs approaching 70s across southwest Nebraska

- Temperatures will cool down early next week, along with
  precipitation chances

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 412 AM CST Thu Feb 5 2026

Upper level ridge over the western CONUS will bring
northwest downslope flow to the area. 850 temps ranging from 10 to
14 degrees combined with fairly decent mixing this afternoon will
bring widespread 60s to western and north central Nebraska. Did
trend the highs towards the 25 percentile to account for this,
pushing highs into the upper 60s, approaching 70 degrees across
southwest Nebraska. Temperatures will reach near to potentially
record temperatures for 3 of the 4 climate sites, see climate
section for more information.

There will also be elevated fire weather conditions today. Abnormally
warm temperatures, min RH around 23 to 30 percent. Winds will
also be breezy out of the northwest around 15 to 20 mph with
gust up to 30 mph.

For Friday, a cold front will move southward and clip the northeast
portion of the CWA. Temperatures will cool slightly, most notably
across north central Nebraska where they will be greater influenced
by the Arctic air mass. Highs will be in the 40s across north
central Nebraska, with 50s to low 60s across the Sandhills and
western Nebraska.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 412 AM CST Thu Feb 5 2026

Above normal temperatures continue into the weekend as
the upper level ridge moves eastward. EFI continues to show
anomalous heat over the area with 70 to 80 percent of the
members are forecasting temperatures above the climate and could
see temperatures approaching records over the weekend if the
trend continues. After Monday temperatures will be cooler as the
cold front moves across the area late Monday. Dry conditions
are expected through Monday, then precipitation chances increase
Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday. Fire weather chances will
also be elevated Saturday, Sunday and Monday with min RH values
ranging from the upper teens to low 20s.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1133 PM CST Wed Feb 4 2026

VFR conditions will prevail all across western and north central
Nebraska through Thursday (today). Low-level wind shear will be
a concern as northwest winds increase just off the surface.
This is mostly of concern across the Panhandle and northwest and
north central Nebraska. Winds at the surface will increase to
15kts with gusts to 25kts by this afternoon.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 412 AM CST Thu Feb 5 2026

Well above normal temperatures are forecasted for today with
widespread 60s expected. Temperatures will be nearing record
highs for North Platte and Broken Bow. Here are the record highs
for the four climate sites along with the forecast high
temperature for today.

..............Forecast High.....Record High................

North Platte....68 degrees...69 degrees(1904)

Broken Bow......66 degrees...66 degrees(2009)

Valentine.......64 degrees...68 degrees(1963)

Imperial........69 degrees...74 degrees(1904)

&&

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

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Gomez
LONG TERM...Gomez
AVIATION...Taylor
CLIMATE...Gomez

NWS LBF Office Area Forecast Discussion