361
FXUS63 KLBF 011132
AFDLBF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
532 AM CST Sun Feb 1 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Mild temperatures return for most of western Nebraska and the
  Sandhills today through the week

- Thursday will be the warmest day of the week with widespread
  50s and 60s

- Low end precipitation chances on Tuesday

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 359 AM CST Sun Feb 1 2026

Quiet weather is expected today with mild temperatures
returning across western Nebraska and the Sandhills as an upper
level ridge builds to the west. WAA will be the greatest across
western Nebraska with highs reaching the mid to upper 50s.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Issued at 359 AM CST Sun Feb 1 2026

The upper level ridge remains in place across the western
CONUS through the week, with modifying temperatures continuing
through the end of the week. There will be a couple disturbances
that translate across the High Plains, with the first early Tuesday
and could bring a slight potential for precipitation in the form of
light snow early Tuesday morning, and the other moves through
Tuesday late afternoon/evening with a chance of light rain showers.
However trends continue to suggest drier air in the lower levels,
leading to low confidence in precipitation. Beyond the low end
precip chances Tuesday, dry conditions are expected the remainder
of the long term forecast.

Upper level ridge will slowly advance eastward with northwest
flow continuing across the High Plains. Thursday continues to
show a signal for extreme temperatures continuing the increase
confidence in the potential for widespread 60 degree
temperatures. Although temperatures still continue to be below
record high criteria, generally 5 to 10 degrees too cool, given
the increase confidence in the extreme temperatures, will need
to continue to monitor guidance as temperatures may need to be
adjusted higher to reflect the trend. Another concern on
Thursday will be the fire weather potential, as winds will be
breezy out of the northwest around 15 to 20 mph with gust up to
35 mph and min RH values around 20 to 25 percent across portions
of southwest Nebraska could lead to near- critical fire weather
concerns for Thursday afternoon. The warmer, above normal
temperatures will continue into the weekend as the upper level
ridge remains in places across the western CONUS.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 529 AM CST Sun Feb 1 2026

A brief one to two hour period of LLWS across the northern
Sandhills including KVTN terminal will be possible this morning
with gust up to 35 kts. Sfc winds will turn to the north around
10 kts with gust up to 15 kts across the northern Sandhills,
elsewhere winds will be lighter, around 5 kts. Winds will become
light and variable tonight with winds of 5 kts or less expected.

&&

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

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Gomez
LONG TERM...Gomez
AVIATION...Gomez

NWS LBF Office Area Forecast Discussion