166
FXUS63 KLBF 110501
AFDLBF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
1101 PM CST Wed Dec 10 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Another warm up is expected Thursday. Elevated fire weather
  concerns are expected for areas mainly west of Highway 183.

- Much colder, especially across northern Nebraska this weekend.
  Some light snow is also possible.

- Warning again next week as a ridge builds across the western
  CONUS.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Issued at 311 PM CST Wed Dec 10 2025

Surface high pressure has quickly built into the area today. Colder
air has filtered in behind the front as a modified Canadian airmass
briefly crosses the area. Overnight, tonight, the surface ridge axis
will shift eastward across Minnesota and Iowa. Meanwhile, a leeward
surface trough will sharpen across central SD and Nebraska. An area
of mid-level FGEN is in the process of developing across western NE
this afternoon, and will shift eastward/northeastward as WAA aloft
intensifies. The mid and upper levels will continue to
saturate, and expect a bit of light precipitation to eventually
make it to the surface late this afternoon into tonight. Any
precipitation should start as light snow, then as warmer air
aloft moves in expect a brief change to light freezing rain
before ending after sunrise Thursday. This threat is mostly
nearer the SD border as drier air in the lower levels farther to
the south will limit precipitation making it to the surface.

Warmer temperatures return Thursday as the leeward surface trough
shifts eastward across the area. Highs well into the 60s are
expected west of the surface trough (for areas roughly west of
Highway 183). Elevated fire weather concerns will increase as
gusty west winds combine with lower humidity and the warm
temperatures.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 311 PM CST Wed Dec 10 2025

Northwest flow aloft continues into the weekend. Strong arctic high
pressure will settle southward into the Dakotas with a strong cold
front surging southward through the area Friday. A reinforcing cold
front then backs in from the northeast Saturday. This will keep
portions of north central Nebraska in the teens for highs Saturday.
A slow moderation in temperatures is then expected Sunday into
Monday.

Will have to closely monitor the Friday night into Saturday morning
period across northern Nebraska. A strong area of mid-level FGEN
will be in place north of the cold front. Snow will be likely where
within this area. Ensemble means have trended a bit southward with
the accumulating snow - but not as far south as some of the
operational runs. Again will monitor, as accumulating snow
could occur nearer the SD border. Otherwise it will be very cold
Saturday across northern Nebraska, with highs barely reaching
above 10F near the SD border in Boyd Co. Meanwhile mid 40s are
expected across far southwest Nebraska.

A warming trend is expected next week as ridging develops across
the Rockies into the plains.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1101 PM CST Wed Dec 10 2025

Skies will remain mostly cloudy into the overnight with a
mixture of mid and high level clouds across most of western and
north central Nebraska. Some lower ceilings will be present in
the vicinity of KONL with a threat for light freezing rain
overnight into Thursday morning. For the KLBF and KVTN
terminals, skies will gradually scatter out Thursday morning
with ceilings ranging from 20000 to 25000 FT AGL. Broken
ceilings ranging from 2500 to 6000 FT AGL will develop Thursday
evening across northern Nebraska. Winds will be generally from
the west and northwest over after 12z on Thursday with wind
gusts up to 30 KTS at the KVTN terminal and up to around 25 KTS
at the KLBF terminal Thursday afternoon.

&&

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

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...Taylor
LONG TERM...Taylor
AVIATION...Buttler

NWS LBF Office Area Forecast Discussion