385
FXUS63 KLBF 022042
AFDLBF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
342 PM CDT Wed Sep 2 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Low chances for showers and a few thunderstorms across the
  western Sandhills this evening and overnight. A few storms
  may contain strong wind gusts this evening.

- Friday through Saturday night, very warm, with low chances for
  showers/thunderstorms mainly during the evening and overnight.

- Increased chances for showers/thunderstorms Sunday through
  Wednesday with above normal temperatures persisting.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 341 PM CDT Wed Sep 2 2026

Tonight...An upper trough will extend across the Northwestern U.S.
with a closed low off the coast of WA/OR. Meanwhile, an upper ridge
remains centered over the Southeast U.S. Across the Central Plains,
southwest flow aloft remains established. A shortwave disturbance
currently located from southeast WY and north central CO will track
northeast this evening and overnight. Convection will initiate
across the higher terrain to our west this afternoon, tracking into
the northwest Sandhills this evening and overnight. Soundings
indicate an inverted-V up to 600mb, and downdraft CAPEs up to 1200
J/kg. This supports a threat for locally severe wind gusts this
evening. The area of concern is for areas west of Lisco through
Merriman. The latest CAMs are in good agreement on the location
and timing, ending by 12Z. The latest few runs of the RRFS do
continue the threat for showers/storms across the central
Sandhills into Thursday morning, so this remains a possibility.
Lows tonight in the low to mid 60s.

Thursday...the upper level ridge builds into the region slightly.
Highs in the lower 90s, except around 95 southwest. Across the
western Sandhills, northwest winds 10 to 20 mph and afternoon
humidity as low as 15 to 25 percent will create elevated fire
concerns. While a few morning showers can`t be ruled out Thursday
morning, dry conditions are expected Thursday afternoon into
Thursday night.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 341 PM CDT Wed Sep 2 2026

Upper level ridging will gradually build into the region Friday and
Saturday of Labor Day weekend. This will bring very warm
temperatures in the low to mid 90s, with upper 90s southwest.
Atmospheric moisture from New Mexico and Colorado will increase into
the region with south southwesterly flow aloft. Low chances for
showers/thunderstorms southwest and east Friday night, with low
chances across much of the area Saturday night. By Sunday and
Monday, the upper ridge may begin to flatten out as an upper trough
moves front the Intermountain west into the Northern Plains. Highs
remain around 10 degrees above normal in the upper 80s to lower 90s.
PWATs will increase some during this time with chance POPs Sunday
night and again Monday night. NBM 24 hours probability of exceeding
0.25 inch ending 12Z Monday and again 12Z Tuesday, ranges from 20 to
40 percent.

The upper trough is  forecast to flatten out by next Wednesday as an
upper trough moves into the Great Lakes. This may bring some relief
from the heat with highs from 80 to around 85.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 1217 PM CDT Wed Sep 2 2026

VFR conditions are expected to prevail across western and north
central Nebraska through Thursday morning. Light, and mostly
variable surface winds will prevail throughout the day,
into tonight. By this evening, scattered showers and a few
thunderstorms across the panhandle will track to the northeast.
This activity should remain west of KVTN, bringing a broken deck
of mid level cloud cover overnight.

&&

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

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Roberg
LONG TERM...Roberg
AVIATION...Roberg

NWS LBF Office Area Forecast Discussion