710
FXUS63 KLBF 121212
AFDLBF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
612 AM CST Mon Jan 12 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Temperatures remain near normal today before gradually increasing
through next week.

- Outside of some isolated rain chances Tuesday afternoon and
evening, dry conditions continue through Thursday.

- The next precipitation potential arrives Thursday night, although
confidence remains low.

- A return to dry conditions and much colder temperatures begins on
Friday lasting through the weekend.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 335 AM CST Mon Jan 12 2026

Strong upper level ridging will remain in place across the western
US through Tuesday allowing for surface high pressure to build
across the Great Plains. This will allow for dry conditions to
prevail through at least Tuesday as well as a gradual increase in
temperatures. With 850 mb temperatures generally in the 6 to 10 C
range, surface highs will easily be able to climb back above
normals. Have increased highs for both days as the latest trends
favor a warmer forecast. Most locations will likely see highs in the
60s today, with a highs in the upper 50s across the north on Tuesday
and a return to the 60s mainly south of Highway 2. Would not be
surprised if Tuesday highs rise a few more degrees with most places
seeing into the 60s as well.

A weak frontal system will bring some low end precipitation chances
(less than 20 percent) north of I-80 on Tuesday afternoon and
evening. Warmer temperatures will keep the precipitation type as all
rain. Not anticipating any thunderstorms with these showers as
instability remains low with very little support for convection at
this time. By the time the sun sets and temperatures drop to near or
below freezing Tuesday night, precipitation will have ended,
therefore snow is not going to be threat with this system.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 335 AM CST Mon Jan 12 2026

Dry conditions return again through at least Thursday, however, the
Tuesday night disturbance will have ushered in some cooler air to
the region. Temperatures will remain above normals, but will be
about 5 degrees cooler than the beginning of the week.

Thursday night into Friday will bring the next potential for
precipitation, although it is expected to be isolated at this time.
A upper level low will begin to develop across the northern Plains
on Thursday night allowing for some isolated snow showers to develop
mainly across northern and northwest Nebraska. At this time,
confidence remains low in snow development as well as
strength/precipitation amounts. However, confidence is fairly high
that regardless on precipitation potential, this trough will bring a
return to much colder air to Nebraska. 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 and Saturday and lows Friday
night in the low teens. While still a few days away, there is also
indication that wind chill values could drop into the single digits
across portions of north central Nebraska on Friday night. Not
anticipating cold headlines at this time, but they may be needed if
temperatures continue a downward trend.

Upper level ridging on Friday behind the departing trough will bring
a return to dry conditions from Friday and through the weekend.
After temperatures remain chilly on Friday and into Saturday, they
begin to return to near to slightly above normals (normal highs in
the upper 30s to low 40s) by Sunday.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 611 AM CST Mon Jan 12 2026

The only major aviation concern will some gusty winds across
northern Nebraska this afternoon and evening. Westerly gusts up to
25 knots could be seen through the overnight hours. Otherwise, VFR
conditions will persist across the region.

&&

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

&&

$$

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

NWS LBF Office Area Forecast Discussion