Fire Weather Outlook Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
276 FNUS21 KWNS 061633 FWDDY1 Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1133 AM CDT Sun Sep 06 2026 Valid 061700Z - 071200Z ...NO CRITICAL AREAS... Along the northwestern periphery of a prominent ridge over the central U.S., a shortwave trough and accompanying forcing for ascent amid increasing midlevel moisture will support the development of high-based thunderstorms across portions of the northern Plains. Locally heavy rainfall will be possible with any thunderstorm as forecast soundings depict PWATs ranging from 0.9-1.0" or greater; however, lightning on the fringes of accumulating rainfall could trigger new ignitions where very dry fuels exist, particularly across eastern Wyoming and southwestern South Dakota (80-90th percentile ERCs). In addition, gusty/erratic outflow winds could exacerbate new fire starts (see the Day 1 Convective outlook for details). The rest of the forecast remains on track, see the previous discussion for more information. ..Elizalde-Garcia.. 09/06/2026 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0150 AM CDT Sun Sep 06 2026/ ...Synopsis... Upper-level troughing will persist over the Pacific Northwest and Northeast today, with upper ridging remaining in place over the southern Plains. A series of shortwave troughs embedded within strengthening southwesterly flow will traverse northeastward across portions of the Great Basin and Northern Rockies, with subtropical moisture beginning to advect into the Desert Southwest/Great Basin, which will bring additional cloud cover and some chances for rain. These factors will largely mitigate fire weather concerns across much of the western U.S. today. ...Eastern Idaho into central/northern Wyoming and southern Montana... Dry and breezy conditions are forecast this afternoon from eastern Idaho into far southern Montana and central/northern Wyoming. Sustained southwesterly winds of 10-20 mph (locally up to 25 mph in favored terrain areas) amid minimum RH values of 10-20% may support locally elevated fire weather conditions across portions of this region, particularly across central/northern Wyoming where drier/more receptive fuels exist. Elevated highlights continue to be withheld, however, due to the expected limited duration and spatial extent of meteorological conditions combined with uncertainty regarding cloud cover and its impact on RH reductions. ...Great Basin... Dry, southwesterly flow will continue across portions of the central Great Basin today, with locally elevated fire weather conditions possible where pockets of drier fine fuels exist. Generally marginal fuel receptiveness continues to preclude a broader fire weather risk, however. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... $$