ZCZC SPCFWDDY2 ALL
   FNUS22 KWNS 211842

   Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0142 PM CDT Thu May 21 2026

   Valid 221200Z - 231200Z

   ...NO CRITICAL AREAS...

   No changes were made to the ongoing forecast. See the previous
   discussion for more information.

   ..Elizalde-Garcia.. 05/21/2026

   .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1058 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026/

   ...Synopsis...
   By Day 2/Friday, the shortwave trough within the larger-scale
   mid-level trough over the western CONUS will continue eastward,
   advancing over the central Plains and Midwest. This leaves light to
   moderate northwest flow aloft over the western 1/4 of the CONUS amid
   well above normal surface temperatures. Meanwhile, a transitory
   ridge over the eastern 1/3 of the CONUS will exist amid post-frontal
   below normal temperatures in most locations with chances for wetting
   rainfall. Thus, the only area that stands opportunity of concerning
   fire weather would be over far western TX and neighboring areas of
   NM. However, with only terrain-driven diurnal wind (near 10-15 mph)
   combined with RHs of 12-18% during peak heating over that area,
   highlights have been ruled out with this forecast issuance.

      

   ZCZC SPCFWDD38 ALL
   FNUS28 KWNS 202048

   Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0348 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

   Valid 221200Z - 281200Z

   A shortwave trough and associated mid-level jet streak will
   gradually drift across the High Plains and Upper Midwest on Day
   3/Friday before entering south-central Canada this weekend. On Day
   4/Saturday, a weak shortwave trough over the Rockies will translate
   eastward into the Great Lakes by Day 5/Sunday. Longwave ridging will
   build across the West on Day 4/Saturday, sliding towards the Central
   U.S. as extended guidance introduces the potential for a robust
   upper trough to enter the Pacific Northwest early next week. An
   Atlantic ridge over the Eastern Seaboard is likely to persist
   through the forecast period, with multiple rounds of mid-level
   perturbations promoting repeat opportunities for precipitation. The
   upper pattern suggests dampened fire weather conditions on a broader
   scale through the weekend, with the exception of localized breezy
   conditions across parts of the West.

   Guidance remains ambiguous in the timing and extent of the
   approaching Pacific trough towards the latter half of the forecast
   period. However, fire weather highlights may be warranted in future
   outlooks as confidence increases in the overall pattern, and the
   overlap of dry/breezy conditions atop receptive fuels is recognized.

   ..Elizalde-Garcia.. 05/20/2026