305
FXUS63 KLBF 301731
AFDLBF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
1131 AM CST Tue Dec 30 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Dry and mild conditions are expected the rest of this work
  week and into the coming weekend.

- Some increase in fire weather concerns are anticipated.
  Especially across western Nebraska, where highs daily will be
  well into the 50s right through the coming weekend.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 350 AM CST Tue Dec 30 2025

Surface high pressure will nose southeast through the western high
plains today. Meanwhile, upper level ridging will expand northward
across the Rockies, with a dry northwest flow aloft downstream
across our area. Temperatures will continue to warm with a downslope
west to northwest wind ushering in a milder Pacific airmass. Highs
climb to above average, with far southwest Nebraska likely reaching
the lower 50s to perhaps mid 50s. A bit cooler across northern
Nebraska, but mid 40s should be realized by this afternoon. Some
limited fire weather concern develops by this afternoon as
temperatures rise, but humidity looks to remain in the 28-30% range
or higher. Winds do increase though, with area Bufkit profile
soundings indicating the potential for gusts around 25 mph as the
boundary layer becomes well mixed.

Surface high pressure will shift south and east of the area tonight.
Light westerly surface winds will again keep the higher elevations
of the Sandhills some what mixed and warmer, with lows in the lower
to mid 20s. Colder in the lower areas like the Platte River Valley,
which will likely drop into the teens with the favorable
light west drainage wind set up.

Wedensday`s weather will be similar to today, with perhaps west to
northwest winds just a touch lighter. Again, western Nebraska will
see the warmer highs and lower humidity, with somewhat elevated fire
weather concerns. By late Wednesday afternoon, a backdoor cold front
appears to push southwest into north central Nebraska as a weak
shortwave dives southeastward across the northern plains. This will
usher in a brief shot of Canadian air Wednesday night, mainly across
north central Nebraska, where lows will drop into the teens.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 350 AM CST Tue Dec 30 2025

Ridging aloft remains across the Rockies right through the end of
the work week. Ensemble trends as well as the operational
ECMWF...continue to show a potential ridge breakdown with the flow
becoming more zonal by Sunday. The period continues to look dry with
above normal temperatures forecast. The official forecast
continues to trend warmer, especially  for Saturday, which now
has highs in the lower 60s across western Nebraska. Ensemble
members have been hinting at this the last couple of days. Will
have to watch for any increased fire weather concerns,
especially with the potential ridge breakdown this weekend.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 1127 AM CST Tue Dec 30 2025

VFR conditions will prevail over the next 24 hours. There will
be a brief period of LLWS across the northern Sandhills in the
morning hours, including KVTN terminal with 35 kts just off the
sfc out of the northwest. SFC winds today will be out of the
northwest around 10 to 15 kts with gust up to 25 kts during the
afternoon. Winds will become light this evening out of the west
to northwest around 5 to 10 kts, then become westerly around 10
to 15 kts with gust near 20 kts by late Wed. morning.




&&

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

&&

$$

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

NWS LBF Office Area Forecast Discussion