824
FXUS63 KLBF 161149
AFDLBF

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
549 AM CST Tue Dec 16 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Above normal highs and dry conditions continue through
  Wednesday, with a slight chance of precipitation late Wed.
  night

- Winds increase Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning as a
  disturbance moves through the forecast area

- Brief cool down on Thursday, with above normal temperatures returning
  into the weekend

- Dry and warm conditions return to end the week into the
  weekend

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 348 AM CST Tue Dec 16 2025

The main concern in the short term will be the warm
temperatures and strong winds. Did bump temperatures slightly across
western Nebraska as downslope flow will aid in warmer temperatures
for the western portions of the CWA. Temperatures will range from 20
to 25 degrees above normal both Tuesday and Wednesday. There is the
potential that Imperial could reach a record high tomorrow, it will
be close as the record is 67 degrees set in 2021 with a forecast
high of 66 degrees, the other 3 climate sites, LBF, BBW, VTN, are
expected to remain below record criteria by at least 5 degrees or
more. As for the lows on Tuesday night expect most areas to be in
the upper 20s, which is the near 15 degrees above normal for this
time of year. The one exception is lowering temperatures about 5
degrees across the Platte river valleys to account for cold air
drainage with the light winds and mostly clear skies across the
Platte river valley on Tuesday night.

As for the winds on Wednesday, a low across the Dakotas will deepen
and a cold front will begin advancing into the area with tight
pressure gradients over Nebraska, increasing the winds starting
Wednesday afternoon with strongest winds by Thursday morning. Did
increase winds with a blend of the 90%ile as probabilities suggest a
50 to 60 percent chance that much of the Sandhills into north
central Nebraska may see wind gust of 45 mph or greater. At this
time did not issue any headlines but if confidence continues to
increase in winds approaching 50 to 60 mph a High Wind Watch may be
needed.

There may be a slight chance for precipitation across the northern
Sandhills into north central Nebraska Wednesday night, generally
expect the main precip type to be rain, however there may be a
brief mix of rain/snow to all snow across the Pine Ridge area
into the northwest Sandhills,late Wednesday night. Generally
only trace amounts to a dusting for snow accumulation.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 348 AM CST Tue Dec 16 2025

With the cold front passage temperatures will briefly
become cooler and more seasonable on Thursday with highs ranging
from the low 30s across north central Nebraska, and in the low 40s
across southwest Nebraska. Strongest winds will be Thursday morning
with winds beginning to diminish by Thursday afternoon. Warmer
air returns on Friday with another day of well above normal
temperatures in the 50s, reaching the upper 60s across southwest
Nebraska. Although the weekend will be slightly cooler,
temperatures will still remain above normal with highs in the
upper 40s to low 50s.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 546 AM CST Tue Dec 16 2025

VFR conditions will prevail over the next 24 hours. High clouds
will move in this morning with winds increasing out of the
northwest around 5 to 10 kts sustained and gust up to 20 kts.
Winds will become light and variable overnight then winds will
start to increase across northern Nebraska towards the end of
the forecast period with winds out of the southwest around 5 to
10 kts and gust up to 20 kts across northern Nebraska.

&&

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

&&

$$

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

NWS LBF Office Area Forecast Discussion