679
FXUS63 KLBF 141152
AFDLBF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
552 AM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Dry conditions return for Wednesday through Thursday with cooler,
but still above normal temperatures.

- The next precipitation potential could impact extreme north
central Nebraska Thursday night, although confidence remains low.

- Very strong winds arrive Thursday night lasting through Friday
afternoon with gusts potentially up to 60 mph or higher.

- A return to dry conditions and much colder temperatures begins on
Friday as well lasting through the first half of the weekend before
warming back above normals by the beginning of next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 349 AM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

Some lingering snow will continue across portions of north central
Nebraska and into the Sandhills through mid-morning. Although
overall accumulations will be light (under a half inch), heavier
bands of snow could reduce visibility and cause some travel
difficulties. Snow should diminish by late morning.

Dry conditions will then return Wednesday afternoon through Thursday
as surface high pressure builds back into the Great Plains.
Temperatures will range from the upper 40s across southwest and the
western Sandhills to the mid 30s in north central Nebraska where
lingering precipitation and clouds keep temperatures on the cooler
side. Temperatures will return to above normal for Thursday across
the region with highs rising back into the low 50s to low 60s.

Thursday night into Friday will bring the next potential for
precipitation as an upper level low begins to develop across the
northern Plains on Thursday night. The majority of the precipitation
associated with this system will remain over to the east and over
the Great Lakes region. However, some isolated snow showers could
graze extreme north central Nebraska. Confidence still remains low
in snow development as well as strength/precipitation amounts.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Issued at 349 AM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

The main concern heading into the extended period will be the
increasing winds on Thursday night lasting through Friday.
Latest model guidance suggests northwest gusts up to 60 mph
could be possible. Looking at the latest probability guidance,
seeing gusts over 60 mph across northern Nebraska have around a
80 percent probability of occurring. Therefore confidence is
high that much of north central and western Nebraska will see
these very strong winds. Have issued a High Wind Watch from 12am
CT Friday to 6pm CT Friday as a result of increasing confidence
with the potential for wind gusts up to 65 mph or higher. These
strong winds will cause difficulties driving as well as downed
powerlines and trees across the region. Use caution traveling on
Friday and prepare for potential power outages. Winds will
quickly diminish Friday evening as high pressure begins to build
into the region.

In addition to strong winds, this trough will also usher in some
much colder, below normal temperatures to the region. Current model
guidance suggests 850 mb temperatures in the -12 to -18 C range
behind the departing trough on Friday and into Saturday. This will
result in highs returning into the 30s for Friday. Temperatures drop
even further on Saturday as highs range from the mid 30s across
southwest Nebraska to the mid 20s in north central Nebraska.
Overnight lows are also a concern especially on Saturday night where
temperatures will drop into the single digits and wind chill values
drop into the negative single digits across portions of north
central Nebraska.

Upper level ridging on Friday behind the departing trough will bring
a return to dry conditions from Friday through the beginning of next
week. After temperatures remain chilly on Friday and into Saturday,
they begin a gradual warming trend back into the mid 40s to upper
50s by next Wednesday.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 551 AM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

Some light snow will persist across north central Nebraska and into
the Sandhills through mid-morning. Some minor impacts could be seen
at KVTN, but some heavier bands could reduce visibility briefly and
any snow accumulations will be less than a half inch. Ceilings
remain overcast throughout the day before beginning to scatter out
by the end of the afternoon. Some gusty winds up to 20 knots are
also possible at KLBF during the afternoon, but will quickly
diminish after sunset.

&&

.LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
High Wind Watch from late Thursday night through Friday
afternoon for NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Kulik
LONG TERM...Kulik
AVIATION...Kulik

NWS LBF Office Area Forecast Discussion