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U.S. Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook
ZCZC SPCFWDDY1 ALL
FNUS21 KWNS 290739
Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0139 AM CST Mon Dec 29 2025
Valid 291200Z - 301200Z
...Synopsis...
A pronounced mid-level trough will continue to deepen while ejecting
into the Atlantic, supporting a deep northwesterly flow regime
across the central U.S. as a surface cold front surges offshore
today. The post cold-frontal regime across portions of the Southeast
into the Carolinas will promote 15 mph sustained west-northwesterly
surface winds amid 25-25 percent RH (perhaps locally lower in some
spots). Elevated highlights are warranted given dry fuels that have
not experienced rainfall in 1-2 weeks.
Similarly, dry north-northwesterly surface flow will prevail over
the Plains given the aforementioned deep-layer northwesterly flow
regime. Wind speeds will be weaker compared to previous days, with
cooler temperatures also expected. Nonetheless, widespread 15+ mph
sustained north-northwesterly surface winds amid 15-20 percent RH
and drying fuels necessitates Elevated highlights.
..Squitieri.. 12/29/2025
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U.S. Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook
ZCZC SPCFWDDY2 ALL
FNUS22 KWNS 290759
Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0159 AM CST Mon Dec 29 2025
Valid 301200Z - 311200Z
...Synopsis...
A broad northwesterly mid-level flow regime will prevail across the
eastern half of the CONUS tomorrow (Tuesday), with multiple embedded
impulses poised to traverse this flow and encourage the continued
southward shunting of surface high pressure. Offshore flow within a
post-cold-frontal regime will encourage 10-15 mph sustained
northwesterly surface winds amid 25-35 percent RH along portions of
the Carolinas, southward to the Florida Peninsula, where Elevated
highlights have been introduced. Meanwhile, southwesterly surface
flow pivoting around a surface high will support 15 mph sustained
winds coinciding with 15-25 percent RH atop dry fuels over parts of
the southern Plains, warranting Elevated highlights.
..Squitieri.. 12/29/2025
U.S. Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook
ZCZC SPCFWDD38 ALL
FNUS28 KWNS 282134
Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0334 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025
Valid 301200Z - 051200Z
The large-scale mid-level pattern for this forecast period will be
characterized by northwest flow across much of the eastern United
States, resulting from a western ridge and eastern trough. Global
guidance continues to suggest a short-wave trough will undercut the
ridge mid-to-late week, although timing of this trough varies from
run-to-run.
... Southern Plains ...
A low-end fire threat may develop on Tuesday (D3) associated with a
modest dry-return flow pattern. Afternoon minimum relative humidity
will fall below critical criteria (15-20%) across the region, with
temperatures beginning to warm in response to the surface ridge
moving east of the area. The limiting factor for a fire environment
supportive of critical fire weather conditions appears to be the
surface winds. As the center of the surface ridge moves slowly east,
winds will turn southwesterly and weaken on Tuesday as compared to
previous days. This forecast maintains the inherited 40% area given
model guidance tendency to under-forecast winds. Further refinements
will be needed in subsequent forecasts.
Later in the week may see an uptick in large-scale fire weather
concerns as westerly surface winds increase in response to the
approaching aforementioned short-wave trough undercutting the
western ridge. There will likely be a period of at least elevated
fire weather concerns associated with this feature before surface
winds across portions of the area back to northerly in response to a
developing surface low across the ArkLaTex region. The timing and
details of this scenario are such that forecast probabilities on any
day are too low to warrant highlights.
... Southeast US ...
A very dry continental polar airmass will be entrenched across the
region in the wake of the strong cold frontal passage on Monday.
Most areas across the region will achieve minimum relative humidity
below critical thresholds (25-30%) for multiple consecutive days. On
Tuesday (D3), winds will remain somewhat gusty before the
surface-pressure gradient further relaxes on Wednesday. A mitigating
factor on Tuesday for fire occurrence will be the cold temperatures,
with high temperatures across the Appalachians struggling to get out
of the 30s.
On Wednesday (D4), the continental polar airmass will moderate
slightly, allowing for warmer afternoon temperatures. However,
northerly winds will hold any moisture return at bay, resulting in
even lower relative humidity than the previous day. The mitigating
factor on Wednesday will be that surface winds should decrease as
compared to Tuesday as the surface pressure gradient continues to
relax.
This forecast will introduce an expansive 40% area on both Tuesday
and Wednesday. Further refinements will be necessary in subsequent
forecasts.
The dry airmass will persist beyond Wednesday for at least some
areas of the Southeast. However, at this time range some uncertainty
exists in the magnitude and timing of potential moisture return
associated with a surface low tied to the aforementioned short-wave
trough.
..Marsh.. 12/28/2025
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