Fire Weather Outlook Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
661 FNUS22 KWNS 291934 FWDDY2 Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0234 PM CDT Tue Sep 29 2026 Valid 301200Z - 011200Z ...NO CRITICAL AREAS... Drier northerly flow in the wake of a eastward progressing closed mid/upper low over the Southwest is expected over portions of the Great Basin into Utah for D2/Wednesday. However, marginal fuels and recent precipitation will offset impacts of winds of up to 15 mph and RH of 15-20%, particularly across Utah. Farther east, above normal temperatures in the lower 90s, RH reductions down to 20% by peak boundary layer heating/mixing and exceedingly dry fuels will align over portions of the Mid-South and Lower Mississippi River Valley Wednesday afternoon. However, light southerly winds under a ridge aloft of 15 mph or less should limit a broader fire weather concern across this region. ..Williams.. 09/29/2026 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0101 AM CDT Tue Sep 29 2026/ ...Synopsis... A ridge of high pressure will transition into the western CONUS, bringing warmer temperatures and a lighter wind regime to California and the western Great Basin on Day 2/Wednesday. The center of an eastward progressing mid-level low will enter New Mexico, gradually weakening as it becomes reincorporated within broader troughing. Southerly flow will deepen ahead of the low, providing ample moisture transport bringing PWAT values above the 95th percentile across much of the central CONUS into the Upper Midwest. This system will induce widespread precipitation over an environment stressed by long-term drought, particularly across portions of the southern Plains and the New Mexico/Colorado Rocky Mountains. Ahead of the advancing moisture, a residual hot and dry airmass will remain in place across the lower Mississippi River Valley where receptive fuels exist; however, light surface winds should limit fire weather concerns. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... $$