ZCZC SPCFWDDY2 ALL
   FNUS22 KWNS 241929

   Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0229 PM CDT Fri Jul 24 2026

   Valid 251200Z - 261200Z

   ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR THE INLAND NORTHWEST INTO THE
   NORTHWEST GREAT BASIN AND NORTHWEST MONTANA...

   Minor modifications were made to the outlook based on the latest
   forecast guidance. Isolated to scattered mixed wet/dry thunderstorms
   may develop into western South Dakota and northeast Wyoming.
   However, efforts were made to exclude areas that have recently
   received wetting rain, will likely receive wetting rain, or will
   have multiple consecutive days of wetter thunderstorms. Regardless,
   lightning ignitions remain possible if not likely in/around the
   IsoDryT area, with gusty outflow winds likely as well. Additionally,
   locally extremely critical conditions remain possible in wind prone
   areas and where deep boundary layer mixing allows for stronger winds
   and drier air aloft to surface across the Critical area.

   ..Nauslar.. 07/24/2026

   .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0157 AM CDT Fri Jul 24 2026/

   ...Synopsis...
   Continued upper-level ridging over the West on Saturday with
   enhanced flow over the ridge will result in an expansive area of
   fire-weather concerns, extending from northern California/Nevada
   into eastern Oregon/Washington and northern Idaho/Montana.

   ...Critical Fire Weather Conditions...
   Successive days with hot, dry, and breezy conditions warrant
   critical fire-weather highlights in a favorable fuelscape,
   characterized by ERC values largely ranging from the 80th-95th
   percentiles across the region.  Deep, well-mixed boundary layers are
   likely to yield critical RH values (<15%) and sustained afternoon
   wind speeds exceeding 20 mph.  The most favorable meteorological
   conditions are likely across southeastern Oregon.

   ...Dry Thunderstorm Potential...
   While PW values around one inch may favor wetting rains from
   thunderstorms across central/eastern Montana, very hot and deep
   boundary layers will promote precipitation evaporation.  When
   considering relative fast storm motions (25-30 mph), a mix of wet
   and dry thunderstorms is possible across the region.

      

   ZCZC SPCFWDD38 ALL
   FNUS28 KWNS 232203

   Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0503 PM CDT Thu Jul 23 2026

   Valid 251200Z - 311200Z

   Upper-level troughing will continue across the northwestern US
   through early next week with mid-level shortwaves occasionally
   rotating through the southwesterly flow aloft. Hot, dry, and breezy
   conditions will continue into early next week across much of the
   Inland Northwest, northern Great Basin, northern Rockies, and
   northern Plains. The Four Corners high will likely slowly shift east
   over the southern High Plains late this weekend and early next week,
   with daily monsoonal thunderstorms also likely to continue across
   much of the Four Corners region.

   ...Northwestern US...
   Elevated to critical fire weather conditions will overspread the
   Inland Northwest, northwest Great Basin, and much of the northern
   Rockies onto the northern High Plains Day 3/Saturday. West-southwest
   winds will increase amid strengthening winds aloft and an onshore
   pressure gradient. RH will decrease as drier air continues to filter
   into the region leading to long duration elevated/critical
   conditions with possible locally extremely critical conditions
   developing within the 70% area. Isolated to scattered mixed wet/dry
   thunderstorms are likely to develop across portions of
   central/eastern Montana on Day 3/Saturday as well. 

   Dry and windy conditions will continue across the same areas on Day
   4/Sunday, while likely expanding farther onto the northern Plains. A
   70% area was introduced extending northward from the Sierra Front
   into southern Oregon/vicinity, with another 70% area in northern
   Montana. Some forecast guidance indicates that critical conditions
   will develop again in the Columbia Basin, but only an upgrade to 40%
   was done at this time. Isolated mixed wet/dry thunderstorms are
   possible in southeast Montana/vicinity on Day 4/Sunday and will be
   monitored for potential DryT probabilities going forward. 

   Dry and breezy conditions will continue on Day 5/Monday across
   portions of the northern Great Basin/vicinity and possibly across
   the Inland Northwest and into the northern Rockies. These dry and
   breezy conditions may continue into Day 6/Tuesday, but there is too
   much forecast uncertainty regarding the timing of the upper-level
   ridge building back over the West with stronger southwest flow
   retreating to the northwest. 

   Fuels will continue to cure across the northwestern US due to
   consecutive days of hot, dry, and breezy conditions, which will
   allow more areas to have receptive fuels and thus be included in
   fire risk areas going forward. This period represents a critical
   fire weather pattern as hot, dry, and windy conditions will follow
   lightning. Growth on existing fires and new emerging fires is
   expected.

   ...Southern Plains...
   Hot, dry, and breezy conditions are likely early to mid next week
   across the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma. A 40% area was
   introduced to reflect this with an expansion and additional areas
   likely needed in subsequent outlooks as fuels rapidly cure.

   ..Nauslar.. 07/23/2026