Fire Weather Outlook Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
117 FNUS22 KWNS 070650 FWDDY2 Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0149 AM CDT Mon Sep 07 2026 Valid 081200Z - 091200Z ...Synopsis... A strengthening surface cyclone will continue to transition northeastward across south-central Canada on Day 2/Tuesday in tandem with a potent mid-level shortwave trough while a second shortwave trough ejects eastward across the northern Rockies. This will maintain a tightened surface pressure gradient across the northern High/Great Plains, with dry, windy conditions supporting another day of elevated fire weather concerns across southeastern Montana, northern/eastern Wyoming, southwestern South Dakota, and portions of the Nebraska Panhandle. ...Southeastern Montana into northern/eastern Wyoming and the Black Hills vicinity... The lingering tightened surface pressure gradient and overlying strong mid-level flow will encourage dry, westerly downslope flow, with sustained winds of 15-25 mph. While 700 mb flow is forecast to be weaker, occasional gusts to 30-35 mph may still be possible amid deep boundary layer mixing. Minimum RH values are also forecast to be lower compared to Day 1/Monday (largely within the 10-25% range); however, latest guidance suggests that the lowest RH values may tend to be displaced farther eastward from the strongest surface winds. Nevertheless, this overlap of wind/RH conditions and receptive fuels will support elevated fire weather concerns Tuesday afternoon, with locally critical conditions potentially developing where stronger surface winds overlap the lowest RH values. Locally elevated conditions may also manifest across adjacent areas of southwestern Wyoming and northern South Dakota where dry and breezy conditions are forecast. More marginal fuel receptiveness precludes further expansion of the Elevated highlights at this time, however. A secondary cold front progressing through the region will also bring a shift to more northerly winds, with this change potentially happening prior to 00 UTC across southeast Montana and northeast Wyoming. Winds should then largely weaken by the 03-06 UTC period as the cold front continues to progress south-southeastward. ..Chalmers.. 09/07/2026 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... $$