Red Flag Warning 34, NWS North Platte, NE

360 
WWUS83 KLBF 090738
RFWLBF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service North Platte NE
238 AM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

NEZ204-100300-
/O.CON.KLBF.FW.W.0034.260609T1800Z-260610T0300Z/
Eastern Panhandle/Crescent Lake NWR-
138 AM MDT Tue Jun 9 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT
THIS EVENING FOR LOW HUMIDITY, GUSTY WINDS, AND DRY LIGHTNING
STRIKES...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 204: the eastern 
  Panhandle/Crescent Lake NWR and western Sandhills. 

* TIMING...Noon MDT through 9 PM MDT.

* WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...humidity as low as around 15%, especially
  across the eastern Panhandle. 

* TEMPERATURES...Highs in the lower to mid 90s. 

* LIGHTNING...Dry lightning strikes possible. 

* IMPACTS...Any fire starts may rapidly grow and spread. Fires 
  will be difficult to control.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

Taylor

901 
WWUS83 KLBF 091835
RFWLBF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service North Platte NE
135 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026

NEZ204-100300-
/O.CON.KLBF.FW.W.0034.000000T0000Z-260610T0300Z/
Eastern Panhandle/Crescent Lake NWR-
1235 PM MDT Tue Jun 9 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING
FOR LOW HUMIDITY, GUSTY WINDS, AND DRY LIGHTNING FOR THE EASTERN
PANHANDLE AND WESTERN SANDHILLS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 204 Eastern 
  Panhandle/Crescent Lake NWR.

* TIMING...Noon MDT through 9 PM MDT.

* WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 18 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...Up to 94.

* LIGHTNING...Dry lightning strikes possible.

* IMPACTS...Any fire starts may rapidly grow and spread. Fires 
  will be difficult to control.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

188 
WWUS83 KLBF 100151
RFWLBF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service North Platte NE
851 PM CDT Tue Jun 9 2026


NEZ204-100300-
/O.CAN.KLBF.FW.W.0034.000000T0000Z-260610T0300Z/
Eastern Panhandle/Crescent Lake NWR-
751 PM MDT Tue Jun 9 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY 
FOR THE EASTERN PANHANDLE AND WESTERN SANDHILLS...

The National Weather Service in North Platte has cancelled the
Red Flag Warning.

The threat for critical fire weather conditions across the eastern
Panhandle and western Sandhills has decreased. Thunderstorms
tonight may still create gusty, erratic winds and produce frequent
lightning. 

$$

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
631 AM CDT Mon Jun 8 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible today across
  western and north central Nebraska, with a Slight Risk (Level
  2 of 5) for severe thunderstorms. Large hail and gusty winds
  are possible, though a tornado or two cannot be ruled out.

- Near critical to critical fire weather conditions are possible Tuesday
  afternoon across western Nebraska, with a Fire Weather Watch
  in effect Tuesday afternoon into the evening. Additional
  concerns are possible Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

- Hot temperatures are forecast on Tuesday afternoon, with highs
  in the upper 90s possible.

- After one more warm day Wednesday, temperatures will be
  somewhat cooler Thursday, with a bit of a rebound Friday,
  before cooler air arrives for the weekend.

- Periodic chances for rainfall return for the weekend.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 140 AM CDT Mon Jun 8 2026

Tricky forecast today setting up across the area. Precipitation
chances today and ultimately tonight will hinge on whether or
not ongoing convection across the southern panhandle makes it
east overnight into southwestern and west central Nebraska. The
latest deterministic NAM12, 4KM NAM as well as the 00z HRRR
tonight, sustain convection overnight and indicate a messy setup
tomorrow with numerous cells in their respective composite
reflectivity forecast products. That being said, decided to
expand precipitation chances across southwestern Nebraska today.
With the forecast leaning toward higher pops and more expansive
pops tomorrow, decided to blend in some cooler statistical
guidance with the NBM forecast for highs this afternoon. The NBM
initialized with 86 for LBF today, with the EC having a high of
84 and the MAV 85. Felt the MET guidance high of 72 for this
afternoon was way too low and keyed in on persistent cloud cover
and rainfall all day today. Highs were trended downward some
particularly over the southern half of the forecast area, on the
anticipation of increased cloud cover today. As for the severe
threat, this will be problematic if convection persists
throughout the day. If a severe storm could develop, based on
forecast DCAPE and marginally steep mid level lapse rates, feel
the main threat is straight line winds followed by a large hail
threat.

On Tuesday, persistent southwesterly flow will continue with a broad
trough of low pressure present over the northwestern CONUS. By
afternoon a well defined dryline is progged to develop across the
far eastern panhandle or western Sandhills. Gusty southerly winds
Tuesday afternoon, along with low RH west of the dryline, will lead
to near critical or critical fire weather conditions. A fire weather
watch is in effect for forecast zone 204 and is highlighted in the
fire weather section below. By late afternoon, with the arrival of a
decent mid level shortwave and peak heating, the latest 00z HRRR and
00z 4KM NAM initiate convection along this feature. As for the
severe threat, forecast DCAPE of 1500+J/KG along with moderately
steep mid level lapse rates Tuesday afternoon would lead to a
primary threat for damaging winds with a secondary threat for large
hail. The latest 4KM NAM does indicate the potential for bowing
segments Tuesday evening and Tuesday night as convection traverses
across west central into central and eastern Nebraska, leading to a
wind threat Tuesday night. As for highs Tuesday, the NBM initialized
with hot temperatures across the area with readings ranging from the
middle 90s in the east to around 100 in SW Nebraska. West of the
dryline, this seems plausible. East of the dryline not so much.
Believe these highs Tuesday will be trended down with subsequent
forecasts as the degree of moisture over central and eastern
portions of the forecast area is too great to support highs in the
upper 90s to around 100.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 140 AM CDT Mon Jun 8 2026

An upper trough moves eastward toward the Northern Plains Wednesday.
All models mix drier air eastward across the area Wednesday, likely
limiting any convection. A significant cold front them sweeps across
the area Wednesday night. Very warm temperatures are expected
Wednesday ahead of the cold front arrival, with lower to mid 90s
expected from southwest into central Nebraska.

Thursday, a drier, and somewhat cooler airmass settles into the area
behind the cold frontal passage with highs in the 80s. Westerly flow
aloft will dominate the upper pattern both Thursday and Friday. The
aforementioned cold front stalls across Kansas and tries to lift
back northward into the area Friday. This would bring higher dew
points back into the at least the southern parts of the area, and
could be a focus for convective development Friday afternoon and
evening.

By the weekend, some chance for rainfall continues as residual
moisture lingers across the area and interacts with several weak
disturbances that will cross the area in westerly flow aloft.
Otherwise it will be cooler as easterly/northeasterly low-level flow
will keep temperatures rather cool. In fact, highs Sunday will
likely not reach much above 75 degrees.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 629 AM CDT Mon Jun 8 2026

Scattered thunderstorms and areas of MVFR ceilings can be
expected across southwest Nebraska this morning. VFR should
develop all areas this afternoon. Another round of thunderstorms
should move east into the area this evening. Strong wind gusts
will likely accompany these storms.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 140 AM CDT Mon Jun 8 2026

Beginning Tuesday and continuing through Friday, critical or
near critical fire weather conditions will be possible,
especially in fire zone 204 where fuels are ready to burn. Winds
on Tuesday will be southerly with potential gusts up to 40 MPH
in the western Sandhills and eastern panhandle. A fire weather
watch is in effect for this zone for Tuesday afternoon through
mid evening. On Wednesday, winds will shift to the west with
potential to gust up to 45 MPH. Widespread minimum RH of 10 to
20 percent is expected across all of western and north central
Nebraska. Critical fire weather conditions will hinge on fuel
status which currently favors zone 204. West and northwest winds
will remain gusty on Thursday with afternoon gusts up to 35
MPH. Minimum RH will range from around 10 percent in the eastern
panhandle to around 25 percent in the northeast. Friday will
see near critical or possibly critical fire weather conditions
in the west. Afternoon wind gusts up to 30 MPH are possible
along with minimum RH west of highway 83 of 11 to 18 percent.
Winds are forecast to be lighter Saturday and Sunday which will
alleviate fire weather concerns across the area.

&&

.LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Fire Weather Watch from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday
evening for NEZ204.

&&

SHORT TERM...Buttler
LONG TERM...Taylor
AVIATION...Taylor
FIRE WEATHER...Buttler

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service North Platte NE
1120 AM CDT Mon Jun 8 2026

NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-091630-
Sheridan-Eastern Cherry-Keya Paha-Boyd-Brown-Rock-Holt-Garden-Grant-
Hooker-Thomas-Blaine-Loup-Garfield-Wheeler-Arthur-McPherson-Logan-
Custer-Deuel-Keith-Perkins-Lincoln-Chase-Hayes-Frontier-
Western Cherry-
1120 AM CDT Mon Jun 8 2026 /1020 AM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western and north
central Nebraska.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms, a few strong, will persist across portions
of southwest and central Nebraska this afternoon. Late this
afternoon and evening, another round of thunderstorms will develop
in the panhandle and northeast Colorado and move east. At this time,
the main concerns are damaging wind gusts and large hail, though a
tornado cannot be ruled out.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

Hot weather is expected, especially on Tuesday, with highs in the
upper 90s. High humidity along and to the east of Highway 83 could
push heat index values to near 105 degrees.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop Tuesday afternoon.
Most likely area for initiation will be near a dryline. This dryline
should be located in the vicinity of Highway 61, or from around
Imperial to Ogallala to Merriman. Damaging wind and large hail will
be the main concerns as the storms track eastward toward central and
north central Nebraska early Tuesday evening.

Near critical to critical fire weather concerns will be possible
both Tuesday and Wednesday, generally for areas along and west of
Highway 61 Tuesday and west of Highway 83 Wednesday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
446 AM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026

NEZ057-058-081130-
Perkins NE-Keith NE-
446 AM MDT Mon Jun 8 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL PERKINS AND
SOUTHWESTERN KEITH COUNTIES THROUGH 530 AM MDT...

At 445 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Brule, west of Ogallala, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Ogallala, Brule, and Roscoe.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 61 between mile markers 76 and 94.
 Interstate 80 in Nebraska between mile markers 117 and 137.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4096 10190 4115 10191 4122 10152 4095 10151
TIME...MOT...LOC 1045Z 264DEG 23KT 4106 10181

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Taylor

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
637 AM CDT Mon Jun 8 2026

NEZ037-038-059-081215-
Custer NE-Lincoln NE-Logan NE-
637 AM CDT Mon Jun 8 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN LINCOLN...
SOUTHEASTERN LOGAN AND WEST CENTRAL CUSTER COUNTIES THROUGH 715 AM
CDT...

At 636 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles north of North Platte Airport, or 11 miles northeast of North
Platte, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Gandy, Logan, and Hoagland.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 92 between mile markers 233 and 246.
 Highway 83 between mile markers 89 and 110.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4116 10070 4132 10080 4154 10031 4130 10016
TIME...MOT...LOC 1136Z 245DEG 20KT 4128 10066

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

Taylor

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
642 AM CDT Mon Jun 8 2026

NEZ057>059-069-081230-
Chase NE-Perkins NE-Lincoln NE-Keith NE-
642 AM CDT Mon Jun 8 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL PERKINS...SOUTHEASTERN
KEITH...NORTH CENTRAL CHASE AND WEST CENTRAL LINCOLN COUNTIES THROUGH
730 AM CDT/630 AM MDT/...

At 641 AM CDT/541 AM MDT/, Doppler radar was tracking strong
thunderstorms along a line extending from near Roscoe to near Grant.
Movement was northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Grant, Paxton, Madrid, Elsie, Sarben, Roscoe, Wild Horse Spring, and
Nevens.

This includes the following highways...
 Highway 61 between mile markers 52 and 76.
 Interstate 80 in Nebraska between mile markers 131 and 149.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4126 10121 4067 10147 4067 10192 4119 10159
TIME...MOT...LOC 1141Z 232DEG 21KT 4113 10152 4078 10175

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Taylor

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
741 AM CDT Mon Jun 8 2026

NEZ059-081330-
Lincoln NE-
741 AM CDT Mon Jun 8 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL LINCOLN COUNTY
THROUGH 830 AM CDT...

At 741 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southwest of Maxwell, or 12 miles southeast of North Platte,
moving northeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Maxwell, Keith, and Cottonwood Canyon State Wildlife Management Area.

This includes Interstate 80 in Nebraska between mile markers 185 and
195.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4093 10060 4098 10071 4116 10057 4109 10032
TIME...MOT...LOC 1241Z 224DEG 16KT 4099 10060

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

NWS LBF