ZCZC SPCFWDDY2 ALL
   FNUS22 KWNS 130548

   Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   1248 AM CDT Mon Apr 13 2026

   Valid 141200Z - 151200Z

   ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR SOUTHEAST COLORADO AND ADJACENT
   HIGH PLAINS...

   ...Synopsis...
   The progression of the upper trough in the Southwest/southern High
   Plains is expected to slow on Tuesday. The trough may not eject into
   the Plains until early Wednesday morning. A surface low will deepen
   in the central High Plains.

   ...Southeast Colorado and vicinity...
   A similar setup to Monday is expected, though the location of the
   trough will bring better alignment of stronger mid-level winds to
   the region. The deepening surface low will further increase surface
   wind speeds to 20-25 mph. RH of around 15% appears likely. Farther
   east into Kansas, the surface winds will be similarly strong along
   with a very dry airmass (RH perhaps nearing 10% in some locations).
   Recent rainfall should mitigate some fire weather risk with eastward
   extent. Critical fire weather is expected.

   ...Parts of the Southwest into the southern High Plains...
   The base of the trough over this region along with a moderately
   strong surface pressure gradient will promote 15-20 mph winds. RH
   will be somewhat uncertain given the expected mid-level clouds.
   However, around 20% is possible for broad portions of the region.
   Elevated fire weather is forecast during the afternoon.

   ...Mid-Atlantic...
   Dry return flow will continue in the Mid-Atlantic. 10-15 mph winds
   around the surface high are probable during the afternoon. 25-30% RH
   will also occur. Despite the marginal meteorological conditions,
   very dry fuels will support an elevated fire weather threat.

   ..Wendt.. 04/13/2026

      

   ZCZC SPCFWDD38 ALL
   FNUS28 KWNS 122136

   Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0436 PM CDT Sun Apr 12 2026

   Valid 141200Z - 201200Z

   ...Synopsis...
   A robust mid-level trough and associated jet maxima enters the
   Southern Plains on Day 3/Tuesday as a lee surface cyclone evolves
   across the Central Plains, promoting a fire weather threat across
   the region. Lingering dry and breezy conditions are expected across
   eastern NM and West TX on Day 4/Wednesday as the mid-level trough
   translates eastward. Another pronounced upper trough moves into the
   Pacific Northwest Day 5/Thursday. Increasing southwesterly flow
   aloft ahead of the eastward propagating trough should promote dry,
   downslope flow and a continued fire weather threat across the
   Southern High Plains Thursday with a more widespread impact across
   this region on Day 6/Friday as the amplifying trough moves into the
   central U.S., eventually moving into the eastern U.S. over the
   weekend. Farther east, upper-level ridging will keep much of the Mid
   Atlantic and Southeastern U.S. dry through the week. The
   exceptionally dry fuels and occasional elevated southerly winds will
   pose a lingering fire weather threat across this region.

   ...Day 3/Tuesday...
   ...Southern Plains...
   A 60-70 knot mid-level jet rounding the base of an eastward moving
   trough along with deepening lee cyclone across the Central Plains
   will support downslope drying and enhanced southwest winds of 20-25
   mph across portions of the southern High Plains on Day 3/Tuesday.
   70% critical probabilities have been introduced across southeastern
   CO, far southwestern KS and adjacent NM/OK/TX border areas where
   fuels remain most receptive, largely missing out on recent wetting
   rainfall across the region. The 40% critical probability area
   remains mostly intact for much of the southern High Plains.

   ...Mid-Atlantic...
   A residual dry air mass under a persistent ridge aloft will remain
   across the Southeast and Mid Atlantic through much of next week. A
   surface low and corresponding mid-level trough moving across the
   Great Lakes will promote elevated southwest winds across portions of
   the Mid Atlantic. A 40% critical area was introduced into portions
   of VA and NC where alignment of dry and breezy conditions and
   exceptionally dry fuels is most likely.

   ...Day 4-6/Wednesday-Friday...
   ...Southern Plains...
   The Southern Plains will remain a focus for fire weather concerns
   through this week with a dry, downslope regime prevailing across the
   region. Southwesterly flow aloft and subsequent lee surface
   troughing across the central/southern Plains will support breezy
   west/southwest winds and low RH each afternoon Days
   4-5/Wednesday-Thursday. A 40% critical probability area was added
   for Thursday across much of eastern NM, southeastern CO,
   southwestern KS and adjacent TX/OK Panhandle areas. A more
   pronounced and amplified upper-level trough approaches the central
   CONUS by the end of the week. The associated mid-level jet streak
   and deepening surface cyclone across the Central Plains will aid in
   stronger west/southwest winds behind a dry line. Although recent
   rainfall has mitigated wildfire spread potential in some areas,
   several days of drying ahead will likely allow more receptive fuels
   to develop across the southern High Plains by the end of the week.
   40% critical probabilities have been introduced for Day 6/Friday
   across much of southeastern NM, TX/OK Panhandles, southeastern CO
   and southwestern KS.

   ..Williams.. 04/12/2026