885
FXUS63 KLBF 180550
AFDLBF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
1150 PM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Gusty northwest winds this evening and overnight, with gusts
  of 40 to 50 mph possible.

- High Wind Warning in effect for all of western and north
  central Nebraska Thursday. Northwest winds 35 to 45 mph with
  gusts from 60 to 70 mph at times.

- Chance of light rain this evening, then dry conditions
  through the weekend.

- Elevated fire weather concerns Thursday, especially across
  west central and southwest Nebraska.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Issued at 216 PM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

Tonight, a clipper system will move into south central North
Dakota. This will drive a cold front quickly south across the
forecast area during the evening. Northwest winds 25 to 35 mph
behind the front, with gusts 40 to 45 mph. Could see brief
gusts to 50 mph during the cold frontal passage. Also a chance
for light rain across nctrl NE this evening, with a slight
chance as far south as I80. The light rain is expected the exit
east of the area before the colder air moves in. Northwest
winds increase behind the front before daybreak, with gusts to
50 mph near the NE/SD border.

Thursday, A High Wind Warning is in effect from 6 AM until 6 PM
CST across all of western and north central Nebraska. With a
closed upper low moving from northeastern SD mid morning to
southern MN mid afternoon, a tight H5 and H7 gradient exists
for deep mixing. With H7 winds from 70-80kts, guidance supports
frequent gusts from 40 to 55 kts. Strong cold air advection with
colder air dropping south. Highs only in the upper 20s northeast
actually fall into the mid 20s late morning and afternoon. Upper
30s to around 40 southwest NE, where cold air advection is
weak. The strongest winds will be during the morning until mid
afternoon, then diminishing through late afternoon.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 216 PM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

Surface high pressure builds in Thursday evening with light
winds. Lows from the upper teens to low 20s.

Much warmer Friday as a warm front pushes east during the
morning. Westerly H85 winds will mix down much warmer air aloft
with highs reaching the upper 50s to low to mid 60s. A cold
front Friday night, with cooler, yet still above normal highs
Saturday from 40 to 45, and mid 40s to low 50s Sunday.

A broad upper ridge builds over the region Monday and Tuesday
with mild highs in the upper 50s low 60s Monday and 50s
Tuesday.

Dry conditions expected during the entire long term period.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1138 PM CST Wed Dec 17 2025

LLWS will continue through the morning hours across much of the
Sandhills into north central Nebraska, including both terminal
sites, KLBF and KVTN. LLWS will be out of the northwest with
55kts. At the SFC winds will also remain strong through the
afternoon with winds out of the northwest, sustained winds will
be around 25 to near 40 kts with gust around 50 kts. Winds will
diminish quickly by late afternoon with sustained winds around
10kts. There will also be brief periods of shower activity,
mostly in the form of rain across the Sandhills and north
central Nebraska, and snow showers across northwest Sandhills,
winds within the showers may contain brief wind gusts in excess
of 65 kts. As far as clouds, mid level clouds will continue
through the morning hours before becoming mostly clear by
afternoon with a few lingering high clouds expected.

&&

.LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
High Wind Warning until 6 PM CST /5 PM MST/ Thursday for
NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094.

&&

$$

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

NWS LBF Office Area Forecast Discussion