Fire Weather Outlook Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
940 FNUS21 KWNS 170652 FWDDY1 Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1252 AM CST Mon Nov 17 2025 Valid 171200Z - 181200Z ...Synopsis... Fire weather concerns are expected for portions of the southern and central High Plains this afternoon. More localized concerns are possible across parts of the Mid-Atlantic where dry conditions will persist after breezy/dry conditions yesterday. ...Southern/Central High Plains... Early-morning water-vapor imagery depicts an upper wave traversing the central Rockies as of 06 UTC. Ahead of this feature, surface pressure falls are noted as a lee cyclone slowly intensifies. This surface low is expected to shift eastward through the afternoon, resulting in strengthening westerly downslope flow off the central/southern Rockies. Ensemble consensus suggests sustained winds of 15-20 mph (gusting to 25-30 mph) will be common for portions of eastern NM into the TX Panhandle as well as across south-central CO in proximity to terrain features. Downslope warming/drying coupled with ample daytime heating will likely result in RH minimums in the teens. While ERCs across much of the region are only modestly high (around the 80th percentile), limited rainfall in the past two weeks has likely allowed for adequate drying of finer fuels to warrant Elevated risk highlights. ...Mid-Atlantic... An unseasonably dry air mass is currently in place across the Mid-Atlantic region with dewpoints in the upper teens to low 20s (which are near the 10th percentile for mid-November). With similarly dry air upstream, RH values will likely fall into the 15-25% range again today. However, unlike yesterday wind speeds will be more benign as surface high pressure builds into the region. Most guidance suggests wind speeds will remain near 10 mph, but occasional gusts into the 15-20 mph range appear possible given lingering strong flow aloft. ..Moore.. 11/17/2025 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... $$