738
FNUS22 KWNS 161914
FWDDY2
DAY 2 FIRE WEATHER OUTLOOK
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
0213 PM CDT THU JUL 16 2026
VALID 171200Z - 181200Z
..AFTERNOON UPDATE
A FEW THUNDERSTORMS MAY LINGER INTO THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF DAY
2/FRIDAY ACROSS NORTHEASTERN WASHINGTON AND THE IDAHO PANHANDLE. BY
MIDDAY, A DRY AIRMASS WILL RETURN TO THE COLUMBIA BASIN WITH LOCALLY
BREEZY WINDS. MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES WILL ALLOW FOR STRONG SURFACE
HEATING AND DEEP VERTICAL MIXING, RESULTING IN RH VALUES DECLINING
TO LESS THAN 20% AND SUSTAINED SOUTH-SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS OF 10-20
MPH (LOCALIZED GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH). PRECEDING DAYS OF WET/DRY
THUNDERSTORMS HAS RESULTED IN MANY LIGHTNING IGNITIONS, WITH THE
POTENTIAL FOR ADDITIONAL FIRES TO EMERGE AS A RESULT OF COMBINED
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND RECEPTIVE FUELS (90TH PERCENTILE
ERCS). ELEVATED HIGHLIGHTS WERE INTRODUCED ACROSS FAR NORTHERN
OREGON AND CENTRAL-EASTERN WASHINGTON TO ACCOUNT FOR THIS THREAT.
THE REST OF THE FORECAST REMAINS ON TRACK; SEE THE PREVIOUS
DISCUSSION FOR MORE INFORMATION.
..ELIZALDE-GARCIA.. 07/16/2026
PREV DISCUSSION
/ISSUED 1231 AM CDT THU JUL 16 2026/
..SYNOPSIS
AN UPPER RIDGE WILL AMPLIFY OVER MUCH OF THE INTERMOUNTAIN WEST AND
CENTRAL U.S. EVACUATION OF DEEPER MONSOON MOISTURE HASTENED BY DRY
SOUTHWEST FLOW SOUTH OF A PACIFIC NORTHWEST TROUGH WILL BRING DRY
AND BREEZY CONDITIONS TO PORTIONS OF CA, OR AND NV FRIDAY.
SIMILARLY, DAILY SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WILL GENERALLY BE
SHIFTED FARTHER EAST WITH DRY CONDITIONS RETURNING TO THE PACIFIC
NORTHWEST.
...NORTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA, SOUTH-CENTRAL OR AND FAR NORTHWESTERN
NV...
DRY SOUTHWEST FLOW ALOFT COUPLED WITH A DIFFUSE SURFACE LOW IN THE
GREAT BASIN WILL ENHANCE LOW-LEVEL SOUTHWEST WINDS ACROSS
NORTHEASTERN CA AND ADJACENT OR AND NV AREAS. EFFICIENT BOUNDARY
LAYER MIXING UNDER SUNNY SKIES WILL MANIFEST IN SOUTHWEST WINDS AT
THE SURFACE OF AROUND 15 MPH DURING FRIDAY AFTERNOON. THE WINDS
COUPLED WITH RH OF 10-15% WILL BRING AN ELEVATED FIRE WEATHER
CONCERN TO THE AREA AMID DRY FUELS.
..COLUMBIA BASIN
DRY SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST FLOW IS EXPECTED TO RETURN FRIDAY ACROSS
PORTIONS OF THE COLUMBIA BASIN AND OKANOGAN VALLEY AS AN UPPER LOW
EJECTS INTO BRITISH COLUMBIA. SOUTH/SOUTHWEST WINDS OF AROUND 15 MPH
AND RH DROPPING TO 15% SHOULD BRIEFLY ELEVATE FIRE WEATHER CONCERNS
FRIDAY. HOWEVER, PRECEDING RAINFALL COULD MITIGATE THE FIRE WEATHER
THREAT, PRECLUDING INTRODUCTION OF HIGHLIGHTS FOR THIS OUTLOOK
ISSUANCE.
..PLEASE SEE WWW.SPC.NOAA.GOV/FIRE FOR GRAPHIC PRODUCT
CLICK HERE TO GO TO PREVIOUS BULLETINS.
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