Fire Weather Outlook Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
459 FNUS22 KWNS 170643 FWDDY2 Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0142 AM CDT Mon Aug 17 2026 Valid 181200Z - 191200Z ...Synopsis... Heights with the western ridge will rise again on D2/Tuesday, with warming temperatures and dry conditions across much of the Pacific Northwest. Along the northern periphery of the ridge, shortwave passage will bring breezy conditions to the areas east of the Cascades. Dry and breezy conditions will also be possible south of a frontal boundary near and the surface trough across western Oklahoma into the Texas Panhandle. ...Portions of the Columbia Basin... West-northwesterly to southwesterly flow across the Cascades will increase wind speeds across the Cascade Gaps. West-northwesterly winds around 10-15 mph will in compass a broad area of the Columbia Basin, with stronger winds around 20-30 mph within the gaps. This will overlap with afternoon relative humidity reductions to around 15-20 percent. Broadly Elevated fire weather conditions are expected in the lee of the Cascades, with locally Critical conditions possible within the Cascade Gaps. Given the localized nature of Critical fire weather conditions, an Elevated was maintained with this outlook. ...Southern Plains... Drought conditions are prominent across much of the region from the Texas Panhandle into western/central Oklahoma with critically dry fuels. Breezy and dry conditions are expected near the surface trough in the Texas Panhandle into western Oklahoma. Profiles will be deeply mixed, with temperatures approaching the 100s F again on Tuesday. This will support afternoon relative humidity reductions to around 10-15% amid southwest winds around 15-20 mph. An Elevated area was maintained with this update but overnight rainfall across the northern Texas Panhandle into western Oklahoma may lead to a re-evaluation of fuels and reduction of the Elevated area in subsequent outlook updates. ..Thornton.. 08/17/2026 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... $$