ZCZC SPCFWDDY2 ALL
   FNUS22 KWNS 240645

   Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   1245 AM CST Tue Feb 24 2026

   Valid 251200Z - 261200Z

   ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PARTS OF EAST-CENTRAL AND
   SOUTHEAST NEW MEXICO...

   ...Synopsis...
   ...Central/southern High Plains...
   Moderately strong northwesterly mid-level winds will be maintained
   across the central and southern Rockies on Wednesday. Lee troughing
   will extend across much of the central/southern High Plains. Dry
   downslope winds of 20-30 mph appear possible in portions of
   east-central and southeast New Mexico as stronger upper-level winds
   nudge farther south and align with the peak of the cross-terrain
   surface gradient. With at least some connection to the mid-level
   moisture plume on the West Coast, high-level cloud cover and a
   modest increase in surface dewpoints are possible. Guidance is not
   overly confident in RH lower than 15% for more than a short period.
   However, the enhanced winds at the surface will still drive a period
   of Critical fire weather during the afternoon.

   Elsewhere within the High Plains, RH of around 20% should be more
   common. While 15-20 mph will occur in most locations,
   terrain-favored areas could see speeds of 20-25 mph.

   ...Edwards Plateau into parts of central Texas...
   As a modest surface low evolves south and east during the day, winds
   of 15-20 mph will be possible. During the afternoon RH of around
   15-20% can be expected. Lack of stronger winds will preclude a
   greater fire weather risk, but Elevated fire weather is probable.

   ..Wendt.. 02/24/2026

      

   ZCZC SPCFWDD38 ALL
   FNUS28 KWNS 232148

   Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0348 PM CST Mon Feb 23 2026

   Valid 251200Z - 031200Z

   ...Synopsis...
   Mid-level flow will remain amplified over CONUS through the extended
   forecast period. The predominant pattern will feature troughing over
   the eastern US while strong mid-level flow continues across the
   central US. Amplified ridging over the West will support strong
   downslope flow and lee troughing over the Southern and Central High
   Plains. This pattern will aid continued Elevated to Critical fire
   weather conditions through the forecast period. 

   ...Day 3/Wednesday - Southern Plains and Southeastern Colorado...
   Fire weather conditions are expected to continue as a lee surface
   low moves southeast across the Central Plains amid northwesterly
   flow. Strong mid-level flow aloft will support broad downslope
   northwesterly winds of 10-20 mph and RH values below 20% , so 40%
   Critical probabilities have been maintained. 70% Critical
   probabilities have been introduced where a localized area in
   southeastern NM may experience stronger northwesterly downslope
   surface winds of 20-30 mph atop dry, receptive fuels.

   ...Day 4/Thursday - South Central Texas...
   As the surface low continues to shift south towards the Texas Gulf
   Coast, a weak dry cold front will pass through South Central Texas
   late morning/afternoon bringing dry and breezy northerly surface
   winds. With low humidity and warm surface temperatures across the
   area on Day 3/Wednesday, fine fuels will likely have dried out some,
   leading to potential receptiveness to fire. 40% Critical
   probabilities have been introduced to account for fire weather
   concerns. 

   Beneath strong mid-level flow, tight surface pressure gradients
   across central Wyoming may support strong downslope winds and low RH
   in the lee of the Laramie Range into far western Nebraska on Day
   4/Thursday and Day 5/Friday. However, with the potential for light
   rainfall across the area on Day 3/Wednesday, fire weather highlights
   have been withheld for now. 

   Model spread increases on Day 5/Friday through the remainder of the
   forecast period regarding the overlap of dry and windy conditions.
   Nonetheless, as the mid/upper-level pattern persists, fire weather
   conditions will likely continue across portions of the Central and
   Southern High Plains into the weekend.

   ..Elizalde-Garcia/Thornton.. 02/23/2026