618
FNUS22 KWNS 260736
FWDDY2
DAY 2 FIRE WEATHER OUTLOOK
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
0235 AM CDT THU MAR 26 2026
VALID 271200Z - 281200Z
..SYNOPSIS
UPPER-LEVEL RIDGING CENTERED OVER NORTHERN MEXICO AND WEST TEXAS
WILL REMAIN IN PLACE THROUGH D2/FRIDAY AS A MID-LEVEL SHORTWAVE
TROUGH ADVANCES SOUTHEASTWARD ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES REGION AND INTO
THE NORTHEAST. AT THE SURFACE, A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE OFFSHORE OF
THE GULF COAST WHILE STRONG HIGH PRESSURE SHIFTS SOUTHEASTWARD FROM
THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS INTO THE MIDWEST.
..CENTRAL GREAT PLAINS
BROAD POST-FRONTAL FLOW FROM THE NORTH-NORTHEAST AMID A DRY AIR MASS
WILL ENCOMPASS PORTIONS OF THE CENTRAL/SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS ON
FRIDAY. SUSTAINED SURFACE WINDS OF 15-20 MPH COUPLED WITH REDUCED RH
VALUES OF 20-25% (LOCALLY AS LOW AS 15%) AND RECEPTIVE FUELS ARE
EXPECTED TO SUPPORT A BROAD AREA OF ELEVATED TO LOCALLY CRITICAL
FIRE WEATHER CONCERNS FROM EASTERN NEBRASKA AND SOUTHWESTERN IOWA
SOUTHWARD TO WESTERN OKLAHOMA AND THE TEXAS PANHANDLE. STRONG 850 MB
FLOW OF 30-40+ KTS WILL ALSO SUPPORT THE POTENTIAL FOR OCCASIONAL
GUSTS TO 30-35 MPH, ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF THE
ELEVATED HIGHLIGHTS.
..EASTERN ARIZONA INTO WESTERN NEW MEXICO
A BACKDOOR COLD FRONT IS FORECAST TO MOVE SOUTH-SOUTHWESTWARD
THROUGH PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHWEST ON FRIDAY. LATEST GUIDANCE
INDICATES SOUTHEASTERLY WINDS WILL STRENGTHEN TO 15-25 MPH ACROSS
PORTIONS OF EASTERN ARIZONA AND WESTERN NEW MEXICO FOLLOWING THE
FRONTAL PASSAGE, ESPECIALLY IN THE VICINITY OF THE WHITE MOUNTAINS
AND GILA REGION. WHILE RH VALUES ARE FORECAST TO INCREASE BEHIND THE
FRONT, THERE MAY BE A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME WHERE THE INCREASED WINDS
OVERLAP LINGERING LOW RH OF 15-20%, SUPPORTING THE POTENTIAL FOR
LOCALIZED ELEVATED FIRE WEATHER CONCERNS. UNCERTAINTY REGARDING THE
TIMING OF THE FRONTAL PASSAGE AS WELL AS THE DURATION OF OVERLAP OF
WINDS/RH PRECLUDES THE ADDITION OF ELEVATED HIGHLIGHTS AT THIS TIME,
BUT TRENDS WILL CONTINUE TO BE MONITORED.
..CHALMERS.. 03/26/2026
..PLEASE SEE WWW.SPC.NOAA.GOV/FIRE FOR GRAPHIC PRODUCT
CLICK HERE TO GO TO PREVIOUS BULLETINS.
Main Text Page