


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS North Platte, NE
Issued by NWS North Platte, NE
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324 FXUS63 KLBF 182046 AFDLBF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service North Platte NE 346 PM CDT Sat Oct 18 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Frost/freeze conditions likely across much of north central Nebraska Sunday morning as temperatures plummet into the mid 20s to low 30s. - Dry conditions prevail tonight through the end of the week. - Temperatures return to near normal through Friday. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... Issued at 339 PM CDT Sat Oct 18 2025 The main weather concern in the short term will be the very cold temperatures tonight and into Sunday morning. Low temperatures are expected to fall into the mid 20s to low 30s area wide, locally into the low 20s across the central Sandhills. The latest probability guidance suggests temperatures could even fall a few more degrees than what is currently in the forecast, although, confidence in how widespread colder temperatures will be is not high. Therefore, went with a similar forecast to what was inherited until observations show a downward trend. Regardless, relatively calm east southeast winds tonight combined with clear skies will allow for ample radiational cooling dropping apparent temperature values into the low to mid 20s for most locations and as low as the upper teens (16 to 19 degrees across the central Sandhills. A Freeze Warning remains in effect for the entire north central Nebraska region (minus Sheridan/Cherry counties where freeze conditions have already occurred this Fall) until late Sunday morning when temperatures rise quickly after sunrise. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Issued at 339 PM CDT Sat Oct 18 2025 Strong upper level ridging across the western US will allow for surface high pressure to build into the region on Sunday with dry conditions lasting through next week. A developing low pressure system and trough will barrel through Nebraska on Monday and while no precipitation is expected, very strong winds will be associated with this system. Current guidance suggests northwest gusts up to 45 mph could be possible in the afternoon, potentially up to 50 mph across portions of the Sandhills and northern Nebraska. At this time, no wind headlines have been issued, but will be monitoring this over the next day or so. Warm air advection returns on Sunday bringing 850 mb temperatures in the 10 to 20 C range back into the region by Sunday afternoon. Therefore highs return to the mid 60s to low 70s with lows in the upper 30s to low 40s for much of next week. The exception will be on Monday and Tuesday where temperatures return to below normal (normal highs: mid 60s; normal lows: mid 30s) as the developing low across the northern Plains ushers in a cooler airmass into the central and western Plains. Highs only rise into the mid 50s to low 60s both days before returning to near normal. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 1231 PM CDT Sat Oct 18 2025 Gusty northwest winds will continue through the afternoon before diminishing shortly after sunset. Cloudy skies with some light rain will continue to push eastward through the next few hours with gradual improvement by late afternoon. Overnight, clear skies and light winds will result in sub-freezing temperatures and frost across much of the region. VFR conditions continue through Sunday morning as high pressure settles over the region. && .LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Freeze Warning from 10 PM CDT /9 PM MDT/ this evening to 11 AM CDT /10 AM MDT/ Sunday for NEZ006>010-022>029-035>038-056>059- 069>071. && $$ SHORT TERM...Kulik LONG TERM...Kulik AVIATION...Kulik