ZCZC SPCFWDDY2 ALL
   FNUS22 KWNS 010458

   Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   1158 PM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026

   Valid 021200Z - 031200Z

   ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEASTERN COLORADO
   INTO NORTHEAST NEW MEXICO...WESTERN TEXAS PANHANDLE...WESTERN
   OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE...AND FAR SOUTHWESTERN KANSAS...

   ...Synopsis...
   A second mid-level trough will impinge on the central Rockies
   tomorrow (Thursday), resulting the development of another surface
   low over the central Plains. Both gradient and downslope flow will
   promote dry and windy conditions supportive of wildfire spread
   across portions of the central and southern High Plains. By
   afternoon peak heating, widespread 15-20 mph sustained southwesterly
   surface winds will overlap with 15 percent RH for several hours,
   warranting Elevated highlights across the central and southern High
   Plains. Critical highlights have been introduced where guidance
   consensus depicts the highest likelihood of 20+ mph sustained winds
   overlapping very dry fuels.

   ..Squitieri.. 04/01/2026

      

   ZCZC SPCFWDD38 ALL
   FNUS28 KWNS 312202

   Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0502 PM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026

   Valid 021200Z - 081200Z

   ...Synopsis...
   Amplified upper-level flow will progress from the western U.S. into
   the Great Plains initiating a lee-surface low in eastern CO/western
   KS on D3/Thursday. The negatively tilted shortwave trough will
   traverse the northern High Plains on D4/Friday and shift northeast,
   bringing cooler temperatures, much needed rain, and higher elevation
   snow to much of the western U.S., with precipitation expanding
   eastward east of the Continental Divide through the remainder of the
   week. This should reduce broader fire weather concerns across parts
   of the High Plains into the Midwest. However, fire weather concerns
   will remain for areas that do not see appreciable rainfall on Day
   3/Thursday and Day 4/Friday in the central and southern High Plains.
   An upper ridge builds back across the western U.S. thereafter,
   bringing warm and dry weather through the end of the forecast
   period.

   ...Day 3-4/Thursday-Friday - Southern High Plains and far West
   Texas...
   Strong westerly mid-level winds and lee surface troughing will
   continue to support dry, downslope favored flow across the southern
   High Plains for both D3/Thursday and D4/Friday. With the
   intensification of a surface low and deepening upper trough, a tight
   surface pressure gradient will develop in southeastern CO and
   northeastern NM on Day 3/Thursday. 70% Critical fire weather
   probabilities have been introduced for this region to account for
   south-southwesterly winds of 20-30 mph and RH of 10-20 percent atop
   receptive fuels. For Day 4/Friday, 40% probabilities of Critical
   have been maintained across the southern High Plains, though will
   likely need to be adjusted as confidence increases in the location
   and timing of a cold frontal passage in the TX Panhandle. Model
   guidance is hinting at a potential downslope wind event in the
   northern CO Front Range on Day 4/Friday, but have withheld from
   introducing highlights until there is better ensemble member
   agreement. 

   Upper ridging builds back in this weekend across the western U.S.,
   persisting through early next week. Given the overall pattern,
   locally elevated fire weather conditions may arise as dry conditions
   prevail across parts of the central and southern High Plains.

   ..Elizalde-Garcia/Williams.. 03/31/2026