ZCZC SPCFWDDY2 ALL
   FNUS22 KWNS 271929

   Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0229 PM CDT Wed May 27 2026

   Valid 281200Z - 291200Z

   ...Great Basin and Southwest...
   An upper-level low anchored over the Sierra Nevada and corresponding
   surface low over western ID will continue to pose a fire weather
   threat to portions of the Great Basin and Southwest D2/Thursday.
   Breezy south winds of 15-25 mph, relative humidity as low as 10% in
   valleys and dry/cured fuels in lower elevations will support an
   enhanced fire weather concern across portions of AZ and far western
   NM into the eastern Great Basin and CO Western Slope. Elevated
   highlights were extended northward into far southern ID where recent
   fire activity amid locally drier fuels exist. Additional expansion
   farther into central UT was warranted based on latest forecast
   guidance.

   ...Northeastern Montana...
   Surface troughing extending from ID into the Northern Rockies and
   surface high pressure settling into the Great Lakes will maintain a
   dry southeasterly flow across portions of the northern High Plains
   D2/Thursday. The alignment of receptive fuels, southeast winds of
   15-20 mph and daytime relative humidity around 20% will support
   elevated fire weather conditions across northeastern MT.

   ..Williams.. 05/27/2026

   .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1236 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026/

   ...Synopsis...
   A similar synoptic setup as D1/Wednesday will carry over into
   D2/Thursday as a nearly stationary upper low remains over CA/Great
   Basin, and upper ridging persists across the central CONUS. The main
   trough axis will gradually lift into the central Plains while
   moisture advection occurs downstream of the upper low, encouraging
   continued chances for precipitation in the High Plains. Beneath
   upper troughing, a cold front is expected to progress southward
   across the Mid-Atlantic bringing below-normal temperatures and
   additional opportunities for spotty precipitation to the Eastern
   Seaboard. 

   ...Great Basin and Southwest...
   Prolonged southwesterly flow will maintain fire weather concerns for
   parts of the Great Basin, Upper CO River Basin, and portions of the
   Southwest through Day 2/Thursday. Southerly sustained winds of 15-25
   mph and RH values around 15% combined with drier lower elevation
   fuels are expected to promote Elevated fire weather conditions
   during the afternoon. 

   ...Northeastern Montana...
   Ahead of a persistent surface trough, dry southeasterly flow over
   the northern High Plains will support another day of enhanced fire
   weather concerns across northeastern MT on Day 2/Thursday. Elevated
   highlights have been introduced to northeastern MT where receptive
   fuels are still present within pockets of green up.

      

   ZCZC SPCFWDD38 ALL
   FNUS28 KWNS 272111

   Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0411 PM CDT Wed May 27 2026

   Valid 291200Z - 041200Z

   ...Synopsis...
   An upper-level low over the Great Basin will evolve into an open
   wave Friday before accelerating northeastward towards the Northern
   Plains over the weekend. A blocking ridge across the central U.S.
   will persist while several mid-level short wave troughs traverse
   across the Northeast through early next week. Fire weather concerns
   will remain minimal through the middle of next week over much of the
   CONUS, although warmer and drier conditions moving in behind the
   exiting upper-low will promote drying of fuels across the Southwest.


   ...Day 3/Friday - Four Corners and Colorado Plateau...
   A mid-level jet will move into the Four Corners region as an
   upper-level trough over the Great Basin begins to translate
   northeastward Day 3/Friday. Residual dry, southerly flow across the
   Four Corners and Southwest is expected to bring a continued fire
   weather threat to portions of the Four Corners and Colorado Plateau
   where lower elevated fuels remain receptive. The 40% critical
   probability area has been expanded southward into the Four Corners
   where recent rainfall was minimal.

   ...Day 4-8/Saturday-Wednesday...
   The exit of the upper trough and muted surface pressure gradients
   will promote a warming and drying trend across the Southwest through
   early next week. Ample rainfall and cooler temperatures across the
   Southern Plains and Southeast will minimize fire weather concerns.
   Persistent surface high pressure the Great Lakes should allow for
   lighter winds and mainly dry conditions to limit fire weather
   concerns through early next week, although this pattern will bolster
   the drying of fuels over the region into the Upper Midwest. Longer
   term model guidance suggests deeper moisture aided by the presence
   of a diffuse upper low setting up near Baja California, returns to
   portions of the Southwest by the middle of next week. With several
   preceding days of warm and dry conditions, fuels could become more
   receptive to lightning ignition from initially high-based
   thunderstorms. Too much uncertainty remains for Day 8/Wednesday to
   include dry thunderstorm probabilities at this time.

   ..Williams.. 05/27/2026