Red Flag Warning 40, NWS North Platte, NE

293 
WWUS83 KLBF 020354
RFWLBF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service North Platte NE
1054 PM CDT Sat Aug 1 2026

NEZ204-210-030300-
/O.CON.KLBF.FW.W.0040.260802T1600Z-260803T0400Z/
Eastern Panhandle/Crescent Lake NWR-Frenchman Basin-
954 PM MDT Sat Aug 1 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM MDT
SUNDAY FOR LOW HUMIDITY AND GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Parts of western and southwest Nebraska. This
  includes Fire Weather Zone 204 the Eastern Panhandle/Crescent 
  Lake NWR and Fire Weather Zone 210 the Frenchman Basin.

* TIMING...From 10 AM to 10 PM MDT.

* WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent.

* TEMPERATURES..,High temepratures in the upper 90s to near 102
  degrees. 

* LIGHTNING...None expected.

* IMPACTS...Any fire starts have the potential to spread rapidly.

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

835 
WWUS83 KLBF 020543
RFWLBF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service North Platte NE
1243 AM CDT Sun Aug 2 2026

NEZ204-210-030400-
/O.CON.KLBF.FW.W.0040.260802T1600Z-260803T0400Z/
Eastern Panhandle/Crescent Lake NWR-Frenchman Basin-
1143 PM MDT Sat Aug 1 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM MDT
SUNDAY FOR LOW HUMIDITY AND GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 204 Eastern 
  Panhandle/Crescent Lake NWR and Fire Weather Zone 210 
  Frenchman Basin.

* TIMING...From 10 AM to 10 PM MDT.

* WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...15 to 20 percent.

* LIGHTNING...None expected.

* IMPACTS...Any fire starts have the potential to spread rapidly
  and 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.

&&

$$

723 
WWUS83 KLBF 021720
RFWLBF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service North Platte NE
1220 PM CDT Sun Aug 2 2026


NEZ204-030900-
/O.NEW.KLBF.FW.W.0041.260803T1700Z-260804T0300Z/
/O.CON.KLBF.FW.W.0040.000000T0000Z-260803T0400Z/
Eastern Panhandle/Crescent Lake NWR-
1120 AM MDT Sun Aug 2 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM MDT THIS
EVENING FOR LOW HUMIDITY AND GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM MDT MONDAY FOR
LOW HUMIDITY AND GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...

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

* TIMING...Today, from 10AM to 10PM MDT. Monday, 11AM to 9PM MDT.

* WINDS...Today, south 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 to 50 mph.
  Monday, south winds changing to west winds by late afternoon 20
  to 30 mph and gusts up to 45 mph.
 
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Today, as low as 12 percent. Monday, as low
  as 16 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...Today, up to 102. Monday, up to 101.

* LIGHTNING...Some dry lightning may be possible by late Monday
  afternoon into early evening.

* IMPACTS...Any fire starts have the potential to spread rapidly 
  and 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.

&&

$$

NEZ210-030400-
/O.CON.KLBF.FW.W.0040.000000T0000Z-260803T0400Z/
Frenchman Basin-
1120 AM MDT Sun Aug 2 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM MDT THIS
EVENING FOR LOW HUMIDITY AND GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 210 Frenchman Basin.

* TIMING...From 10 AM to 10 PM MDT.

* WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 21 percent.

* LIGHTNING...None expected.

* IMPACTS...Any fire starts have the potential to spread rapidly 
  and 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.

&&

$$

565 
WWUS83 KLBF 022234
RFWLBF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service North Platte NE
534 PM CDT Sun Aug 2 2026

NEZ204-030645-
/O.CON.KLBF.FW.W.0040.000000T0000Z-260803T0400Z/
/O.CON.KLBF.FW.W.0041.260803T1700Z-260804T0300Z/
Eastern Panhandle/Crescent Lake NWR-
434 PM MDT Sun Aug 2 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM MDT THIS
EVENING FOR LOW HUMIDITY AND GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM MDT 
MONDAY FOR LOW HUMIDITY AND GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...

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

* TIMING...Today, until 10PM MDT. Monday, 11AM to 9PM MDT.

* WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph through
  tonight and into Monday.  

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 16 percent Monday afternoon. 

* TEMPERATURES...High temepratures Monday around 100 degrees.
 
* LIGHTNING...Some dry lightning may be possible by late Monday 
  afternoon into early evening.

* IMPACTS...Any fire starts have the potential to spread rapidly 
  and 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.

&&

$$

NEZ210-030400-
/O.CON.KLBF.FW.W.0040.000000T0000Z-260803T0400Z/
Frenchman Basin-
434 PM MDT Sun Aug 2 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM MDT THIS
EVENING FOR LOW HUMIDITY AND GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 210 Frenchman Basin.

* TIMING...Until 10 PM MDT this evening. 

* WINDS...Southeast 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 22 percent early this evening. 

* TEMPERATURES...Temepratures in the 80s this evening. 

* LIGHTNING...None expected.

* IMPACTS...Any fire starts have the potential to spread rapidly 
  and 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

629 
WWUS83 KLBF 030354
RFWLBF

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service North Platte NE
1054 PM CDT Sun Aug 2 2026

NEZ204-040300-
/O.EXP.KLBF.FW.W.0040.000000T0000Z-260803T0400Z/
/O.CON.KLBF.FW.W.0041.260803T1700Z-260804T0300Z/
Eastern Panhandle/Crescent Lake NWR-
954 PM MDT Sun Aug 2 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM MDT
MONDAY FOR LOW HUMIDITY AND GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR LOW
HUMIDITY AND GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...

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

* TIMING...Monday, 11AM to 9PM MDT.

* WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph in the
  morning shifting to the north during the afternoon hours on
  Monday.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent Monday afternoon.

* TEMPERATURES...High temperatures Monday 95 to 100 degrees.

* LIGHTNING...Some dry lightning may be possible by late Monday 
  afternoon into early evening.

* IMPACTS...Any fire starts have the potential to spread rapidly 
  and 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.

&&

$$

NEZ210-030500-
/O.EXP.KLBF.FW.W.0040.000000T0000Z-260803T0400Z/
Frenchman Basin-
954 PM MDT Sun Aug 2 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 10 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR LOW
HUMIDITY AND GUSTY SOUTH WINDS...

Relative humidity has recovered to around 40% as of 10 PM MDT over
far southwestern Nebraska. Expect southerly winds of 10 to 20 MPH
with gusts up to 25 MPH to persist into the early overnight hours. 

$$

CLB

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service North Platte NE
643 AM CDT Sat Aug 1 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Light winds and near to slightly below temperatures are
  expected today. Highs in the mid 80s to lower 90s expected.

- Fire weather concerns increase across far western Nebraska
  into the Panhandle Sunday. This is due to a combination of
  gusty south winds and low humidity.

- Hot temperatures will continue Monday in advance of an approaching
  cold front. Readings may reach 100 degrees in SW Nebraska.

- A cold front will bring a chance for showers and thunderstorms
  to the area Monday night with a continued threat for
  precipitation Tuesday into Wednesday.

_ Much cooler temperatures are expected Tuesday and Wednesday with
  highs in the 70s to middle 80s. A gradual warmup will push
  highs into the 80s to lower 90s Thursday and Friday.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Issued at 325 AM CDT Sat Aug 1 2026

Upper level ridging begins to expand north and eastward from the
desert southwest today. Meanwhile, at the surface, the center of the
high pressure will shift eastward into eastern South Dakota by this
evening. Winds shift around to the southeast across western Nebraska
by afternoon on the backside of the high. Winds are on the light
side and this should limit any fire weather concerns. Humidity does
get quite low, in the 19-24% range west of Highway 2 by this
afternoon, but as mentioned winds should remain light side.

As a southerly low-level jet increases tonight, south winds begin to
increase, and some of this wind mixes to the surface. This mostly
occurs in the higher elevations across northwest Nebraska and the
western Sandhills, where gusts of 25 mph or so develop by midnight
and then continue.

On Sunday the surface high translates eastward toward the
Mississippi Valley region. Meanwhile surface low pressure will
deepen across Wyoming ahead of a long wave trough nosing into the
northern Rockies. This will set the stage for gusty south winds,
especially along and west of Highway 183. These winds will combine
with humidity values of 15-18% to the west of Highway 2. Even with
the recent rainfall, fuels are there due to the overall drought
conditions. Will issue a Fire Weather Watch for for areas mainly
along and west of Highway 2 due to the wind and low humidity.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Issued at 325 AM CDT Sat Aug 1 2026

A decent low level jet will develop Sunday night across the
western 2/3rds of the forecast area. Based on Bufkit forecast
soundings, mixing will continue well into the late evening hours
Sunday. This will lead to a slow cooldown Sunday evening and
prolong fire weather concerns across the western half of the
forecast area. More about that in the fire weather section
below. With winds not expected to totally decouple Sunday night,
low temperatures will be very mild across the forecast area
with readings in the middle 60s to around 70. A cold front will
begin to approach northwestern Nebraska midday drifting slowly
east and southeast Monday afternoon. There are some minor
differences in frontal location at 21z Monday with the GFS
having this feature oriented along a line from around Oshkosh to
Valentine. The NAM is fairly close with this feature placing
the front along a line from Chappell to Springview. Highs south
of the front will reach the middle to upper 90s with lower 90s
forecast north of the front. There will be a minor threat for
showers and thunderstorms along the front Monday afternoon/early
evening. Better chances for showers and thunderstorms will
arrive behind the front Monday night into Tuesday morning in
advance of a decent mid level shortwave. The latest NBM
probabilistic forecast has a 40 to 70% chance of 12 hr QPF >
0.01 inches across the FA ending at 12z Tuesday. When the QPF
threshold is raised to 0.10", percentages of exceedance fall off
to 40 percent over northern Nebraska. Going forward 12 hours,
ending at 00z Wednesday, there is a 60 percent chance of
exceeding 0.10" over northern Nebraska with dry conditions over
southwestern into the western Sandhills. That being said, the
highest pops will be placed over northern portions of the
forecast area with lower pops further south and west for the
remainder of the FA. The threat for precipitation will carry
over into Wednesday as a second upper level trough approaches
the western Dakotas and the panhandle early Wednesday morning.
This feature will track across the Dakotas and northern Nebraska
Wednesday morning into the afternoon hours bringing another
threat for precipitation, mainly over the northern half of the
forecast area. With the expected threat for precipitation
Tuesday and Wednesday, highs will struggle to get out of the 70s
over the northern half of the forecast area. Further south,
readings may make it into the lower 80s. Broad zonal flow aloft
will develop across the central and northern plains toward the
end of next week. Readings will rebound back into the 80s and
lower 90s with a limited threat for precipitation.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 643 AM CDT Sat Aug 1 2026

Skies will be clear over the next 24 hours across all of western
and north central Nebraska. Winds will be variable at under 10
KTS this morning shifting to the east at under 10 KTS by midday.
Winds will then become variable at under 10 KTS after sunset
tonight.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 325 AM CDT Sat Aug 1 2026

Gusty southerly winds will develop Sunday across the forecast
area, generally east of a deepening surface trough of low
pressure over the western Panhandle and eastern Wyoming. The
latest NBM has a near 100 percent chance of 25+ MPH wind gusts
north of Interstate 80 Sunday afternoon. There is even a threat
for 35 MPH wind gusts in the western Sandhills and eastern
Panhandle Sunday afternoon. With expected highs in the upper 90s
to around 100 in the western Sandhills and eastern Panhandle
and minimum RH of 15 to 25 percent forecast, decided to hoist a
fire weather watch for Sunday afternoon into the evening hours.
Will carry this over into late evening Sunday as winds are not
expected to decrease until after sunset. Near critical fire
weather conditions are possible Monday afternoon, mainly over
zone 204. Minimum RH Monday afternoon will bottom out at 20 to
30 percent west of a line from Eustis, to North Platte, to
Merriman. There is a good probability of wind gusts exceeding 25
MPH Monday afternoon, generally west of highway 83.

&&

.LBF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Fire Weather Watch from Sunday morning through Sunday evening
for NEZ204.

&&

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

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service North Platte NE
318 AM CDT Sat Aug 1 2026

NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-020830-
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-
318 AM CDT Sat Aug 1 2026 /218 AM MDT Sat Aug 1 2026/

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

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Near critical and critical fire weather conditions, are expected
during the afternoon and evening hours Sunday. The main area of
concern is along and west of highway 83. Gusty southerly winds up to
35 MPH and minimum relative humidity of 15 to 25 percent is expected
and a fire weather watch is in effect for the eastern panhandle and
western Sandhills.

On Monday, near critical fire weather conditions are possible
generally west of highway 83. Minimum relative humidity will reach 20
to 30 percent with wind gusts up to 25 MPH.

Thunderstorms are possible Monday night across the area. There is a
marginal risk for severe storms across the central Sandhills and
portions of north central Nebraska.

The threat for thunderstorms will continue Tuesday through Wednesday.
At this time the severe threat is uncertain.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated today or tonight.