098
FNUS53 KLBF 180855
FWFLBF
FIRE WEATHER PLANNING FORECAST FOR WESTERN
AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH PLATTE NE
355 AM CDT WED MAR 18 2026
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON CDT /11 AM MDT/ TODAY TO
8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING...
DISCUSSION
CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TODAY, FAVORING WEST
OF HIGHWAY 83 WHERE HUMIDITY FALLING TO THE TEENS AND GUSTS UP TO
30 MPH ARE EXPECTED.
TODAY, HIGHS CLIMB TO THE UPPER 70S TO LOWER 80S OR 25-30F ABOVE
NORMAL. GUSTY WEST WINDS AGAIN APPEAR LIKELY TODAY BUT SHOULD BE
LESS EXPANSIVE AND SLIGHTLY WEAKER THAN TUESDAY'S PEAK. BELIEVE
GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH WILL BE FAVORED OVER THE WESTERN SANDHILLS INTO
PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA WITH SPEEDS CLOSER TO 20-25 MPH
ELSEWHERE. TRUE RED FLAG CONDITIONS APPEAR LIKELY TO BE MET IN THE
PANHANDLE TOWARDS THE MORRILL FIRE, BUT WILL BE MORE MARGINAL LIKE
IN RECENT DAYS TOWARDS COTTONWOOD/ROAD 203. WILL MAINTAIN THE
INHERITED RED FLAG WARNING EVEN WITH THIS LINGERING CONCERNS.
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY SEES STEADY WARMING WITH HIGHS CONTINUING TO
CLIMB TO THE UPPER 70S TO MIDDLE 80S. CONFIDENCE IN SEEING 25+ MPH
GUSTS IS LOW AND SO NO HEADLINES ARE ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME BUT
ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES UNDER SUNNY SKIES WITH LOW AFTERNOON
HUMIDITY WILL STILL SUPPORT AT LEAST ELEVATED CONCERNS ACROSS THE
REGION. HUMIDITY RECOVERY WILL BE POOR THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY,
BUT BE EVEN POORER FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY.
SATURDAY IS A DAY OF GREATER UNCERTAINTY BUT GREATER POTENTIAL
IMPACTS. WESTERLY WINDS DURING THE DAY MAY APPROACH 25 MPH WITH
THE WARMEST DAY OF THE FORECAST PERIOD EXPECTED. HIGHS REACH THE
MIDDLE 80S TO LOWER 90S. HOW STRONG WESTERLY WINDS BECOME IN THE
AFTERNOON IS THE LONE THING HOLDING BACK A MORE SIGNIFICANT
CONCERN. THAT SAID, LATER IN THE DAY A FRONTAL BOUNDARY SHOULD
ARRIVE FROM THE NORTH AND GUSTS WILL LIKELY INCREASE BEHIND THIS
FEATURE. SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH APPEAR CERTAIN WITH 40-45+
GUSTS POSSIBLE. UNTIL MODEL GUIDANCE COMES INTO BETTER AGREEMENT,
PRECISE DETAILS REMAIN MURKY AT BEST.
MUCH COOLER TEMPERATURES ARRIVE EARLY NEXT WEEK AND SHOULD LOWER
FIRE WEATHER CONCERNS AS A RESULT. HUMIDITY VALUES LOOK TO SAFELY
REMAIN NEAR TO ABOVE 25% FOR ALL LOCATIONS AS HIGHS SETTLE BACK
TOWARDS SEASONABLE NORMS. PRECIPITATION POTENTIAL WITH THE FRONTAL
BOUNDARY APPEARS POOR WITH ONLY A FEW HUNDREDTHS AT BEST AS IT
CURRENTLY STANDS. TEMPERATURES RECOVER TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF NEXT
WEEK WITH A RETURN TO 70S AND 80S APPEARING POSSIBLE.
NEZ204-182330-
EASTERN PANHANDLE/CRESCENT LAKE NWR-
255 AM MDT WED MAR 18 2026
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM MDT
THIS EVENING...
TODAY
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....73-78.
24 HR TREND......4 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........14 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......9 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST 5 TO 15 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....EXCELLENT.
MIXING HEIGHT.......400-2000 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 2600-8200 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....WEST AROUND 15 MPH INCREASING TO AROUND 25 MPH
IN THE AFTERNOON.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TONIGHT
SKY/WEATHER.........PARTLY CLOUDY.
MIN TEMPERATURE.....36-41.
24 HR TREND......UNCHANGED.
MAX HUMIDITY........71 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......12 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....POOR.
MIXING HEIGHT.......400-6100 FT AGL UNTIL 2400, THEN 300-600 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHWEST 10 TO 15 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....76-81.
24 HR TREND......4 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........15 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......6 PERCENT WETTER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......200-1400 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 1800-5700 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....WEST 10 TO 15 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7
FRIDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S. HIGHS IN THE UPPER
70S. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
SATURDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID 40S. HIGHS IN THE MID
80S. WEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.
SUNDAY
MUCH COOLER. PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 30S. HIGHS
IN THE MID 50S. NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH.
MONDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW. LOWS IN
THE UPPER 20S. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 50S.
TUESDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 30S. HIGHS IN THE UPPER
60S.
NEZ210-182330-
FRENCHMAN BASIN-
355 AM CDT WED MAR 18 2026 /255 AM MDT WED MAR 18 2026/
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON CDT /11 AM MDT/ TODAY TO
8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING...
TODAY
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....78-83.
24 HR TREND......6 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........13 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......4 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....EXCELLENT.
MIXING HEIGHT.......400-1900 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 2700-7600 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....WEST 15 TO 20 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TONIGHT
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR.
MIN TEMPERATURE.....37-42.
24 HR TREND......UNCHANGED.
MAX HUMIDITY........66 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......14 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....POOR.
MIXING HEIGHT.......400-5200 FT AGL UNTIL 2400, THEN 400-600 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHWEST 10 TO 15 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....AROUND 82.
24 HR TREND......3 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........14 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......1 PERCENT WETTER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......300-1200 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 1900-5400 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHWEST AROUND 10 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7
FRIDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S. HIGHS IN THE LOWER
80S. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
SATURDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID 40S. HIGHS AROUND 90.
WEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.
SUNDAY
MUCH COOLER. PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 30S.
HIGHS AROUND 60. NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH.
MONDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW. LOWS IN
THE UPPER 20S. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 50S.
TUESDAY
WARMER. MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 30S. HIGHS IN
THE LOWER 70S.
NEZ206-182330-
SANDHILLS/VALENTINE NWR/NEBRASKA NATIONAL FOREST-
355 AM CDT WED MAR 18 2026 /255 AM MDT WED MAR 18 2026/
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON CDT /11 AM MDT/ TODAY TO
8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING...
TODAY
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....72-77.
24 HR TREND......10 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........21 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......3 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST 5 TO 15 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....EXCELLENT.
MIXING HEIGHT.......400-2000 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 2500-8000 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....WEST 15 TO 20 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TONIGHT
SKY/WEATHER.........PARTLY CLOUDY.
MIN TEMPERATURE.....36-41.
24 HR TREND......1 DEGREE WARMER.
MAX HUMIDITY........78 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......9 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST UP TO 5 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....POOR.
MIXING HEIGHT.......400-6100 FT AGL UNTIL 2400, THEN 300-500 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHWEST AROUND 15 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....77-82.
24 HR TREND......5 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........17 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......3 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......300-1600 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 1900-6400 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHWEST AROUND 15 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7
FRIDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S. HIGHS AROUND 80.
NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
SATURDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID 40S. HIGHS IN THE MID
80S. WEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.
SUNDAY
MUCH COOLER. PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 30S. HIGHS
IN THE MID 50S. NORTH WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH.
MONDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW. LOWS IN
THE UPPER 20S. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S.
TUESDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 30S. HIGHS IN THE MID
60S.
NEZ219-182330-
LOESS PLAINS-
355 AM CDT WED MAR 18 2026
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM CDT THIS
EVENING...
TODAY
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....AROUND 79.
24 HR TREND......6 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........16 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......3 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....VERY GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......400-1800 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 2400-6600 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....WEST 15 TO 20 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TONIGHT
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLEAR.
MIN TEMPERATURE.....AROUND 40.
24 HR TREND......UNCHANGED.
MAX HUMIDITY........66 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......11 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST UP TO 5 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....POOR.
MIXING HEIGHT.......400-5100 FT AGL UNTIL 2400, THEN 400-500 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....WEST AROUND 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTHWEST
AFTER MIDNIGHT.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....80-85.
24 HR TREND......4 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........14 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......3 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......300-1400 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 2200-6100 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHWEST AROUND 15 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7
FRIDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S. HIGHS IN THE MID
80S. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
SATURDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID 40S. HIGHS IN THE LOWER
90S. WEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.
SUNDAY
MUCH COOLER. BREEZY. PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER
30S. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 60S. NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH.
MONDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW. LOWS IN
THE UPPER 20S. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S.
TUESDAY
WARMER. MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 30. HIGHS IN THE
UPPER 60S.
NEZ208-182330-
NIOBRARA VALLEY/FORT NIOBRARA NWR/SAMUEL R MCKELVIE NATIONAL
FOREST-
355 AM CDT WED MAR 18 2026 /255 AM MDT WED MAR 18 2026/
TODAY
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....70-75.
24 HR TREND......10 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........27 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......5 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST 5 TO 15 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....EXCELLENT.
MIXING HEIGHT.......500-2000 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 2200-7600 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....WEST 15 TO 20 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TONIGHT
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLOUDY THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY.
MIN TEMPERATURE.....37-42.
24 HR TREND......2 DEGREES WARMER.
MAX HUMIDITY........86 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......3 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....POOR.
MIXING HEIGHT.......400-4100 FT AGL UNTIL 2400, THEN 400-600 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHWEST AROUND 15 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....75-80.
24 HR TREND......3 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........20 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......8 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......400-1300 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 1600-5900 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHWEST AROUND 15 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7
FRIDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S. HIGHS IN THE UPPER
70S. NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.
SATURDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S. HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 80S. WEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.
SUNDAY
MUCH COOLER. MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 30S. HIGHS
IN THE LOWER 50S. NORTH WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH.
MONDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S. HIGHS IN THE MID
50S.
TUESDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 30S. HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 60S.
NEZ209-182330-
LOUP RIVERS BASIN-
355 AM CDT WED MAR 18 2026
TODAY
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....71-76.
24 HR TREND......4 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........22 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......11 PERCENT WETTER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....VERY GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......400-1700 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 1900-7000 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHWEST 15 TO 20 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TONIGHT
SKY/WEATHER.........PARTLY CLOUDY.
MIN TEMPERATURE.....37-42.
24 HR TREND......5 DEGREES WARMER.
MAX HUMIDITY........88 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......3 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......WEST UP TO 5 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....POOR.
MIXING HEIGHT.......300-5800 FT AGL UNTIL 2400, THEN 400-500 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHWEST 10 TO 15 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
THURSDAY
SKY/WEATHER.........SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....76-81.
24 HR TREND......6 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........20 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......11 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......NORTHWEST 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......300-1300 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 1600-6200 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....NORTHWEST AROUND 15 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7
FRIDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S. HIGHS AROUND 80.
NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
SATURDAY
MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID 40S. HIGHS IN THE MID
80S. WEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.
SUNDAY
MUCH COOLER. PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 30S. HIGHS
IN THE MID 50S. NORTH WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH.
MONDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW. LOWS IN
THE UPPER 20S. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S.
TUESDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 30S. HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 60S.
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