Fire Weather Outlook Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
172 FNUS22 KWNS 031840 FWDDY2 Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1240 PM CST Tue Mar 03 2026 Valid 041200Z - 051200Z ...NO CRITICAL AREAS... The forecast remains on track, and please see the previous discussion for more details. ..Nauslar/Stearns.. 03/03/2026 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0200 AM CST Tue Mar 03 2026/ ...Synopsis... A mid-level shortwave trough will eject northeastward across the central Great Plains through D2/Wednesday as a more amplified upper-level trough digs southeastward into the West. At the surface, a weak cyclone will transition northeastward across the Midwest along a nearly stationary boundary forecast to extend from far west Texas northeastward into the Midwest and then eastward across the Mid-Atlantic. Cooler temperatures, light winds, and modestly increased RH within the post-frontal air mass are expected to temper any fire weather concerns across much of the central and southern High Plains. While a corridor of stronger sustained surface winds (15-20 mph) is forecast ahead of the surface low from southern Texas into the mid-Mississippi River Valley, richer low-level moisture will maintain surface RH above 40-50% across region. Meanwhile, a second surface cyclone will shift southeastward from Alberta into southeastern Montana and may bring a brief period of localized downslope winds to portions of the northern High Plains; however, sustained winds are forecast to remain light (less than 15 mph) across any areas that do see decreased RH values of 20% or less. Given the expected poor overlap of low RH and stronger sustained winds, widespread fire weather concerns are not anticipated at this time. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... $$