Fire Weather Outlook Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
262 FNUS28 KWNS 142158 FWDD38 Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0456 PM CDT Mon Sep 14 2026 Valid 161200Z - 221200Z ...Synopsis... An upper-level low will pivot southward from the Pacific Northwest and linger over northern CA for the middle of this week. Enhanced southwest flow southeast of the low amid dry conditions and slowly drying fuels, will promote a fire weather concern for portions of the Great Basin for Days 3-4/Wednesday-Thursday. Thunderstorm potential associated with the low exists for parts of northern CA and southwestern OR on Day 3/Wednesday with a lightning threat moving into the northern Rockies by Thursday. However, marginal fuels should limit impact of lightning over the landscape through midweek. Farther east, well above normal temperatures under a persistent upper-ridge across the southeastern U.S. will promote even drier fuels across the region. However, lighter winds under the ridge and sufficient low-level moisture will limit broader fire weather concerns through the week. ...Day 3-4/Wednesday-Thursday... ...Great Basin... The upper low expected to be over northern CA will usher in a corridor of 15-20 mph southwest winds over the Great Basin midweek. The deep-layer southwest flow coupled with a dry air mass and efficient daytime mixing should promote a fire weather threat for portions of east-central NV both Wednesday and Thursday. Although RH will likely fall below 10% in some valleys, marginal fuel receptiveness will mute a more significant fire weather concern across the area. ...Northern California, Southwest Oregon and Northern Rockies... Thunderstorms associated with the upper low are expected Day 3/Wednesday across northern CA and southwestern OR, with a thunderstorm threat extending into the northern Rockies by D4/Thursday. Fuels continue to be a limiting factor in introducing dry thunderstorm probabilities midweek with forecast ERC values only climbing towards the 70th percentile by the end of the week. ..Williams.. 09/14/2026 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... $$