121 FXUS63 KLBF 082142 AFDLBFArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service North Platte NE 442 PM CDT Wed Oct 8 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Dry conditions are expected for the most part though Saturday.
- Mild temperatures continue through Saturday with highs generally 5 to 10 degrees above normal.
- A slight cooldown along with the next significant precipitation potential arrives on Sunday.
- Active weather continues into next week with the greatest potential for measurable rain being on Tuesday, but temperatures return to near to slightly above normals.
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.UPDATE... Issued at 441 PM CDT Wed Oct 8 2025
The latest HRRR and RAP support fog development late tonight across the southeast panhandle and into portions of southwest Nebraska through mid morning Thursday. Fog coverage should be patchy, but locally dense is possible. Have updated the forecast to include patchy fog.
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.SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/... Issued at 335 PM CDT Wed Oct 8 2025
Upper level ridging will allow for surface high pressure to build across the central US through Friday keeping conditions dry through this timeframe. In addition, warm air advection into the region will push warmer 850 mb temperatures in the 15 to 22 C range into central Nebraska. This warmer airmass will bring mild surface highs to the area through at least the end of the week. Highs on Thursday will easily rise into the upper 70s to low 80s, with slightly lower highs in the mid to upper 70s on Friday.
These warmer and dry conditions will bring some elevated fire concerns to the region on Thursday. While RH values drop to near 20 percent across the eastern Panhandle, winds will remain near or below 15 mph. At this time, not anticipating any widespread fire concerns, but with fuels curing across the region, some elevated concerns are entirely possible.
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.LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 335 PM CDT Wed Oct 8 2025
A weak shortwave trough will bring some isolated rain chances to north central Nebraska on Friday night. Limited moisture though will result in little QPF. High pressure will eventually slide off to the east on Saturday allowing for a more active weather pattern to return. Another round of isolated showers returns on Sunday night as increased moisture from the Pacific pushes into the region. At this time, thunderstorms are not anticipated and while moisture is more abundant than on Friday night, showers will be widely isolated keeping QPF amounts low for any one location.
A better potential for measurable rainfall arrives on Monday night and into Tuesday as a low pressure system develops across the Rockies. While details are a little uncertain still regarding this early week system, latest probabilities suggest much of the region seeing 0.25 QPF being near 20 percent. While not a significant percentage, it is by far the best potential to see any accumulating rainfall in the next week.
Temperatures in the extended remain 5 to 10 degrees above normal on Saturday and Sunday with highs in the mid 70s to low 80s. With the passage of the weak cold front on Sunday night, highs on Monday drop to below normal in the mid 60s. However, temperatures will quickly return to near to slight above normals by mid-week. For lows, temperatures will generally be in the mid 40s to low 50s through the middle of next week. The exception will be on Sunday night where cooler air will filter in behind the cold front. Surface lows will drop into the mid 30s in the northwest and into the mid 40s toward central Nebraska.
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.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/... Issued at 1247 PM CDT Wed Oct 8 2025
Gusty winds will continue through the afternoon and into early evening. Winds will remain above 20 knots through the night across northern Nebraska. Elsewhere, winds are expected to diminish after sunset. Skies will remain in VFR conditions through the TAF period with ceilings generally over 6000 feet.
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.LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None.
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UPDATE...Roberg SHORT TERM...Kulik LONG TERM...Kulik AVIATION...Kulik
NWS LBF Office Area Forecast Discussion