597 FXUS63 KLBF 301007 AFDLBF Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service North Platte NE 407 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 /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 1110 PM CST Mon Dec 29 2025 VFR conditions are expected to prevail through Tuesday night across western and north central Nebraska. Light west winds continue through sunrise Tuesday, at 5kts or less. Winds are then expected to strengthen Tuesday afternoon, with gusts of 20 to 25kts expected. && .LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SHORT TERM...Taylor LONG TERM...Taylor AVIATION...Brown