056
FNUS53 KLBF 230822
FWFLBF
FIRE WEATHER PLANNING FORECAST FOR WESTERN
AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORTH PLATTE NE
322 AM CDT MON MAR 23 2026
DISCUSSION
NEAR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS WESTERN
AND NORTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA TODAY, AS GUSTY SOUTHERLY WINDS ARE
EXPECTED ACROSS THE REGION. SUSTAINED WINDS OF 20 TO 25 MPH ARE
EXPECTED THROUGHOUT THE AFTERNOON, WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH,
HOWEVER, PORTIONS OF THE WESTERN SANDHILLS MAY SEE GUSTS UP TO 45
MPH. TEMPERATURES THIS AFTERNOON REMAIN ROUGHLY 5 DEGREES ABOVE
SEASONAL AVERAGE, WITH MINIMUM HUMIDITY VALUES AROUND 25 PERCENT
FOR MOST OF THE REGION. MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES ARE EXPECTED
THROUGHOUT THE DAY, WHICH MAY HELP LIMIT CRITICAL CONCERNS.
AT LEAST ELEVATED TO NEAR CRITICAL CONDITIONS PERSIST ACROSS THE
REGION TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. TEMPERATURES STEADILY CLIMB
THROUGH WEDNESDAY, WITH HIGHS ON WEDNESDAY AROUND 30 DEGREES ABOVE
AVERAGE, CHALLENGING AND POTENTIALLY BREAKING RECORD HIGHS. BOTH
TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY WILL SEE LOW AFTERNOON HUMIDITY VALUES,
GENERALLY LESS THAN 20 PERCENT ON TUESDAY, AND LESS THAN 15
PERCENT ON WEDNESDAY. HOWEVER, WINDS BOTH DAYS REMAIN GENERALLY
LESS THAN 25 MPH ACROSS THE REGION, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE
PANHANDLE ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
A COLD FRONT TRACKS INTO THE REGION WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY
MORNING, BRINGING COOLER TEMPERATURES AND GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS.
NORTHERLY WINDS OF 20 TO 25 MPH ARE EXPECTED, WITH GUSTS OF 35 TO
40 MPH THURSDAY AFTERNOON. HOWEVER, MINIMUM HUMIDITY VALUES
GENERALLY REMAIN AROUND 25 PERCENT. A BRIEF BREAK FROM FIRE
WEATHER CONCERNS IS EXPECTED FRIDAY, WITH COOLER TEMPERATURES AND
LIGHTER WINDS. HOWEVER, WARMING TEMPERATURES THROUGHOUT THE
WEEKEND, ALONG WITH LOW HUMIDITY AND GUSTY WINDS MAY INCREASE
CONCERNS THIS WEEKEND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.
NEZ204-232330-
EASTERN PANHANDLE/CRESCENT LAKE NWR-
222 AM MDT MON MAR 23 2026
TODAY
SKY/WEATHER.........PARTLY SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....60-65.
24 HR TREND......7 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........24 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......17 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......WINDY. SOUTH 10 TO 20 MPH INCREASING TO 20 TO
30 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....VERY GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......600-2500 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 2700-4500 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH 25 TO 30 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TONIGHT
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLOUDY THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY.
MIN TEMPERATURE.....35-40.
24 HR TREND......4 DEGREES WARMER.
MAX HUMIDITY........69 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......8 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTH 5 TO 15 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....POOR.
MIXING HEIGHT.......500-4100 FT AGL UNTIL 2400, THEN 400-700 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH AROUND 20 MPH DECREASING TO AROUND 10 MPH
AFTER MIDNIGHT.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TUESDAY
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....73-78.
24 HR TREND......12 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........16 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......8 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTHWEST 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....EXCELLENT.
MIXING HEIGHT.......400-2800 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 2100-9300 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTHWEST AROUND 10 MPH INCREASING TO WEST
AROUND 20 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7
WEDNESDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S. HIGHS IN THE
MID 80S. WEST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH.
THURSDAY
MUCH COOLER. BREEZY. PARTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF
RAIN. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 60S. NORTH WINDS
15 TO 25 MPH.
FRIDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW. LOWS IN
THE MID 20S. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 50S. NORTH WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH.
SATURDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S. HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 60S.
SUNDAY
WARMER. MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 30S. HIGHS IN
THE MID 70S.
NEZ210-232330-
FRENCHMAN BASIN-
222 AM MDT MON MAR 23 2026
TODAY
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN EARLY IN
THE MORNING.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....60-65.
24 HR TREND......UNCHANGED.
MIN HUMIDITY........21 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......9 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......BREEZY. SOUTHEAST 10 TO 15 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
SOUTH 15 TO 25 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....VERY GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......800-2400 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 2800-4400 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH AROUND 20 MPH INCREASING TO AROUND 30 MPH
IN THE AFTERNOON.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TONIGHT
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLOUDY THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY.
MIN TEMPERATURE.....AROUND 38.
24 HR TREND......3 DEGREES WARMER.
MAX HUMIDITY........57 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......15 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTH 10 TO 20 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....POOR.
MIXING HEIGHT.......600-4100 FT AGL UNTIL 2400, THEN 600-900 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH 20 TO 25 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TUESDAY
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....78-83.
24 HR TREND......19 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........16 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......5 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTHWEST 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....EXCELLENT.
MIXING HEIGHT.......500-2400 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 1900-9400 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTHWEST 15 TO 20 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7
WEDNESDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S. HIGHS IN THE
UPPER 80S. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH.
THURSDAY
NOT AS WARM. BREEZY. MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE UPPER
40S. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 70S. NORTH WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH.
FRIDAY
COOLER. MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW.
LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S. NORTHEAST WINDS
10 TO 20 MPH.
SATURDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S. HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 60S.
SUNDAY
WARMER. PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 30S. HIGHS IN
THE UPPER 70S.
NEZ206-232330-
SANDHILLS/VALENTINE NWR/NEBRASKA NATIONAL FOREST-
322 AM CDT MON MAR 23 2026
TODAY
SKY/WEATHER.........PARTLY SUNNY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN LATE IN THE
MORNING.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....54-59.
24 HR TREND......8 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........21 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......12 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......BREEZY. SOUTH 10 TO 15 MPH INCREASING TO 15 TO
25 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....VERY GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......500-2200 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 2200-4700 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH AROUND 20 MPH INCREASING TO AROUND 30 MPH
IN THE AFTERNOON.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TONIGHT
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLOUDY THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY.
MIN TEMPERATURE.....33-38.
24 HR TREND......4 DEGREES WARMER.
MAX HUMIDITY........57 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......24 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTH 10 TO 20 MPH DECREASING TO 5 TO 10 MPH
AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....POOR.
MIXING HEIGHT.......700-4700 FT AGL UNTIL 2400, THEN 500-900 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH 15 TO 20 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TUESDAY
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....72-77.
24 HR TREND......16 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........19 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......1 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTH 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....VERY GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......500-1500 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 1700-7900 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH AROUND 10 MPH INCREASING TO SOUTHWEST
AROUND 20 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7
WEDNESDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 40S. HIGHS IN THE MID
80S. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
THURSDAY
MUCH COOLER. BREEZY. PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER
40S. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 60S. NORTH WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH.
FRIDAY
COOLER. MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW.
LOWS IN THE MID 20S. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 50S. NORTH WINDS 10 TO
20 MPH.
SATURDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S. HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 60S.
SUNDAY
WARMER. MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 30S. HIGHS IN
THE MID 70S.
NEZ219-232330-
LOESS PLAINS-
322 AM CDT MON MAR 23 2026
TODAY
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW
EARLY IN THE MORNING.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....57-62.
24 HR TREND......1 DEGREE COOLER.
MIN HUMIDITY........17 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......9 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......BREEZY. SOUTHEAST 5 TO 10 MPH INCREASING TO
SOUTH 15 TO 25 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....VERY GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......500-2100 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 2300-4300 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTHEAST AROUND 15 MPH INCREASING TO SOUTH
AROUND 30 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TONIGHT
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLOUDY.
MIN TEMPERATURE.....AROUND 36.
24 HR TREND......4 DEGREES WARMER.
MAX HUMIDITY........55 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......15 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTH 10 TO 20 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....POOR.
MIXING HEIGHT.......500-4200 FT AGL UNTIL 2400, THEN 500-1000 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH 20 TO 25 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TUESDAY
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....77-82.
24 HR TREND......21 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........16 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......1 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTH 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....VERY GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......400-1800 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 1800-7500 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH 15 TO 20 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7
WEDNESDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 40S. HIGHS IN THE
UPPER 80S. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH.
THURSDAY
NOT AS WARM. BREEZY. MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE UPPER
40S. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 70S. NORTH WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH.
FRIDAY
COOLER. MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW.
LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S. NORTHEAST WINDS
10 TO 20 MPH.
SATURDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 20S. HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 60S.
SUNDAY
WARMER. PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 30S. HIGHS IN
THE MID 70S.
NEZ208-232330-
NIOBRARA VALLEY/FORT NIOBRARA NWR/SAMUEL R MCKELVIE NATIONAL
FOREST-
322 AM CDT MON MAR 23 2026
TODAY
SKY/WEATHER.........PARTLY SUNNY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE LATE
MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....56-61.
24 HR TREND......6 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........21 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......13 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......BREEZY. SOUTH 5 TO 15 MPH INCREASING TO 15 TO
25 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....VERY GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......400-2100 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 1900-5000 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH AROUND 15 MPH INCREASING TO AROUND 30 MPH
IN THE AFTERNOON.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TONIGHT
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLOUDY THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY.
MIN TEMPERATURE.....32-37.
24 HR TREND......6 DEGREES WARMER.
MAX HUMIDITY........58 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......22 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTH 10 TO 20 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....POOR.
MIXING HEIGHT.......700-5000 FT AGL UNTIL 2400, THEN 500-1000 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH 15 TO 20 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TUESDAY
SKY/WEATHER.........PARTLY SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....70-75.
24 HR TREND......19 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........20 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......2 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTH 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......400-1600 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 1500-5800 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH 10 TO 15 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7
WEDNESDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 40S. HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 80S. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
THURSDAY
MUCH COOLER. BREEZY. PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID
40S. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 50S. NORTH WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH.
FRIDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 20S. HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 50S. NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH.
SATURDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S. HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 60S.
SUNDAY
WARMER. PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 30S. HIGHS IN
THE LOWER 70S.
NEZ209-232330-
LOUP RIVERS BASIN-
322 AM CDT MON MAR 23 2026
TODAY
SKY/WEATHER.........PARTLY SUNNY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE LATE
MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....52-57.
24 HR TREND......8 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........21 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......13 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTH 5 TO 10 MPH INCREASING TO 10 TO 20 MPH IN
THE AFTERNOON.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....VERY GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......400-1800 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 1800-4300 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH AROUND 15 MPH INCREASING TO AROUND 25 MPH
IN THE AFTERNOON.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TONIGHT
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLOUDY THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY.
MIN TEMPERATURE.....32-37.
24 HR TREND......6 DEGREES WARMER.
MAX HUMIDITY........62 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......22 PERCENT DRIER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTH 10 TO 20 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....POOR.
MIXING HEIGHT.......800-4300 FT AGL UNTIL 2400, THEN 600-1000 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH AROUND 20 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
TUESDAY
SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY SUNNY.
MAX TEMPERATURE.....70-75.
24 HR TREND......14 DEGREES WARMER.
MIN HUMIDITY........21 PERCENT.
24 HR TREND......2 PERCENT WETTER.
20-FOOT WINDS.......SOUTH 5 TO 10 MPH.
SMOKE DISPERSAL.....GOOD.
MIXING HEIGHT.......600-1800 FT AGL UNTIL 1200, THEN 1900-4900 FT
AGL.
TRANSPORT WINDS.....SOUTH 15 TO 20 MPH.
CHANCE OF THUNDER...0 PERCENT.
FORECAST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7
WEDNESDAY
WARMER. PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 40S. HIGHS IN
THE MID 80S. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
THURSDAY
COOLER, BREEZY. PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S.
HIGHS IN THE MID 60S. NORTH WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH.
FRIDAY
COOLER. MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW.
LOWS IN THE MID 20S. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 50S. NORTH WINDS 10 TO
20 MPH.
SATURDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 20S. HIGHS AROUND 60.
SUNDAY
WARMER. PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 30S. HIGHS IN
THE LOWER 70S.
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