715
FXUS63 KLBF 150002
AFDLBF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
602 PM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Warmer and becoming windy on Thursday with elevated to near
  critical fire weather conditions across southwest Nebraska.

- Very strong northwest winds arrive Thursday night lasting
  through Friday afternoon with gusts up to 65 mph possible. A
  High Wind Watch remains in effect for all of western and north
  central Nebraska.

- Snow showers possible Friday into Friday night mainly across north
  central Nebraska. This could result in low visibility from the
  snow and strong winds.

- Much colder Friday into Saturday, with a warming trend Sunday
  into the middle of next week.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 326 PM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

A backdoor cold front will stall out over the panhandle this evening
and move east overnight. Lows in the low to mid 20s will occur late
evening into early morning, with rising temperatures toward
daybreak as westerly winds increase.

Thursday, northwest winds increase as a cold front sweeps through
the area by early afternoon. Windy conditions by afternoon, with
northwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Skies turn
mostly sunny in the afternoon with highs in the 50s. The warmest
temperatures in the upper 50s across the southwest with
afternoon humidity to around 25 percent. This will lead to
elevated to near critical fire weather conditions due to the
combination of gusty winds and low humidity.

Thursday night, an upper trough and closed low will move into the
Northern Plains and western Great Lakes. This will bring a slight
chance for light snow across northern Nebraska after midnight. Will
also see an increase in northwest winds with gusts up to 50 mph
possible after 06Z Friday, as a High Wind Watch is in effect.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 326 PM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

Friday, the upper trough will move into the region. Snow is likely
across eastern South Dakota, with 40-50 POPs across the eastern half
of north central Nebraska. Light snow, and even the potential for
snow squalls exist, as non zero CAPEs are present in soundings. This
is shown by Hi-Res models including the 3km NAM and FV3 and ARW. Any
snow squalls would bring very low visibilities when in combination
with northwest winds of 35 to 45 mph with gust to 65 mph possible.

A High Wind Watch remains in effect across all of western and north
central Nebraska later Thursday night through the day Friday
(06Z Friday until 00Z Saturday). Probabilities of wind gusts of
55 mph or higher are 70 percent or higher across much of
western and north central Nebraska. Northwest winds of 35 to 45
mph with gust to 65 mph remain possible.

In addition to strong winds, this trough will also usher in much
colder, below normal temperatures to the region. Current model
guidance suggests 850 mb temperatures as low as -12 to -23C
range by 18Z Saturday. This will result in highs from near 30
and low 30s north central to mid and upper 30s southwest on
Friday.

Despite the colder temperatures on Friday, elevated to near
critical fire weather conditions will again occur across
southwestern Nebraska due to the combination of low humidity and
strong wind gusts.

Saturday the coldest day, with highs forecast even colder from
the mid teens northeast to the low 30s far southwest. Overnight
lows are also a concern where temperatures will drop into the
single digits to low teens and wind chill values drop as low as 10
below zero across portions of north central Nebraska.

Upper height rises begin Sunday, with northwest flow persisting
through the middle of next week. This will bring a return to above
normal temperatures Sunday. Another strong cold front Sunday night
will bring colder temperatures near normal Monday. Above normal
highs Tuesday and Wednesday. Dry conditions forecast.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 601 PM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

VFR conditions are expected through the forecast period.

Lingering low clouds will gradually climb with bases exceeding
10kft AGL by later this evening. The main concern then becomes
strong northwesterly winds arriving Thursday. This will produce
strong gusts at the surface but also LLWS at all area terminals.
Speeds should decrease slightly towards the end of the period
but remain fairly steady heading into early Friday where
stronger peak values are expected.

&&

.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...Roberg
LONG TERM...Roberg
AVIATION...NMJ

NWS LBF Office Area Forecast Discussion