948
FXUS63 KLBF 271734
AFDLBF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
1134 AM CST Sat Dec 27 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Somewhat elevated fire weather concerns today across the
  central and northern Sandhills and northwest Nebraska. Wind
  will be the overall limiting factor.

- A cold front brings much colder weather to the area tonight
  through Monday.

- Light snow accumulation is expected tonight into Sunday
  morning. Localized amounts of up to 2" could occur across
  portions of north central Nebraska around the Bassett through
  O`Neill area.

- Strong north to northwest wind gusts could create some
  blowing snow tonight though Sunday.

- A return to above normal temperatures is expected most of next
  week, along with mainly dry conditions.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 331 AM CST Sat Dec 27 2025


One more very mild day is expected today across western and north
central Nebraska. The entire area today will remain to the west of a
nearly stationary boundary that will be located across eastern
Nebraska northward into eastern South Dakota. A mild Pacific airmass
will be in place west of the boundary, with highs area wide expected
to reach into the 60s. The exception will be across portions of
northwest Nebraska where upper 50s are expected. Somewhat elevated
fire weather concern develop across the central and northern
Sandhills and northwest Nebraska. Wind will be the main limiting
factor, with gusts mostly staying 20 mph or less.

Conditions change quickly tonight into Sunday. A potent Alberta
Clipper will dive southeast across the northern plains. This will
drive a strong cold front southward though the area tonight. Strong
low-level cold air advection will bring much colder temperatures,
with highs Sunday only in the mid teens and 20s Sunday.

As far as wind and snow...there will be plenty of wind and some
light snow accumulation as well. A zone of mid-level FGEN will
become oriented southwest to northeast behind the surging front this
evening. Expect top-down saturation, with some of the precipitation
accumulation lost to evaporation at first. Eventually light
rain should reach the surface early this evening across
northwest Nebraska, with this quickly changing to snow as the
band follows the front southeastward across the area through the
night. Snowfall amounts of at least 1" look likely (probs
greater than 60%) mainly for areas north of I-80, particularly
across the Sandhills and northern Nebraska. When looking at 2"
or more chances decrease significantly, expect across portions
of the Highway 20 corridor from around Bassett to O`Neill. Here,
up to 2" are in the forecast by the time the snow ends Sunday
morning. As mentioned there will be strong winds, driven by
strong CAA and surface pressure rises. Gusts in excess of 45 mph
are expected tonight though the day Sunday. This will blow
around what snow falls, so some areas could see reduced
visibility in blowing snow. Most likely across north central
Nebraska along Highway 20.

Wind chills the next concern. Reading around 5 below are expected by
late tonight across northern Nebraska and continuing through the day
Sunday. Even colder Sunday night, with reading as cold as 15 below
across northern Nebraska and 5 below across southwest Nebraska. Wind
chills moderate Monday as winds diminish. It will remain cold,
especially across eastern portions of north central Nebraska
where highs will remain the the 20s.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 331 AM CST Sat Dec 27 2025

Northwest flow aloft develops Tuesday and continues through Friday.
Overall it appears to looks to be a dry week ahead. A return to
above normal temperatures are expected Tuesday and Wednesday. A
cold front will bring a shot of colder air Thursday, especially
across northern/eastern portions of the state. Temperatures
moderate again Friday as we head into the New Year.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 1130 AM CST Sat Dec 27 2025

VFR conditions are expected ahead of a strong cold front
bringing lowered ceilings, strong winds, and the threat for
wintry precipitation to area terminals tonight.

Timing of arrival for frontal boundary is roughly Midnight to
2am CST, with a quick increase in wind gusts and degraded flight
rules. Believe at least brief periods of IFR conditions are
likely, largely owing to low CIGs and potential visibility
issues within -SN. While some -RA is possible prior to -SN,
believe this will miss both terminals and thus have elected to
omit mention. Given strong winds gusting around 40 knots, can`t
rule out some blowing snow continuing beyond the end of active
snowfall, but this will hinge on resulting snowfall amounts. VFR
conditions should return prior to the end of the period.

&&

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

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Taylor
LONG TERM...Taylor
AVIATION...NMJ

NWS LBF Office Area Forecast Discussion