It has been weeks since some areas have seen any sort of precipitation. Due to the lack of rain, many locations across the southern portions of the United States are dealing with severe drought conditions or even worse, extreme.
To make matters worse, today we have an elevated Fire Weather Outlook. This means that fire concerns are present this Monday especially across southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.
What is prompting this elevated fire concern? Well, for one reason, stronger winds with be working in today with wind gusts up to 40 mph.
The stronger winds paired with the relative humidity levels around 15-20% means that any fire that starts could quickly spread. There are many dry fuels across the region from the lack of rain and the winds will help to spread the fire quickly. That is why the National Weather Service has Red Flag Warnings for cities like Tuscon and Safford in southeastern Arizona.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for much of Cochise County this afternoon due to gusty winds, dry air and high fire danger. #azwx pic.twitter.com/x679Rg6qfB
— NWS Tucson (@NWSTucson) February 12, 2018
The good news is that we will see some relief this week. A cut off low off the coast of California pumps in moisture from the Pacific and gives the regions some much needed rain and snow.
The rain won’t be drought busting but it will bring some relief to the region. Most locations won’t see over an inch but I suspect most people across the southwest will take whatever they can get right now.
A welcome sight for our parched desert is coming this week…rain! Best chances Wed & Thu with average amounts of 0.25" to 0.75" expected. #azwx pic.twitter.com/KpWwO9U1l0
— NWS Tucson (@NWSTucson) February 12, 2018
For WeatherNation, Meteorologist Kate Mantych
Tweets
It's going to be a long winter. The first major snow storm for the nation brought icy conditions and struggles for… https://t.co/hLC3lLKLzV
49 minutes ago by WeatherNationNEW OVERNIGHT - The struggle was REAL for drivers across the St. Louis area as roads became snow packed and tractio… https://t.co/Y1aDncXC0C
1 hour ago by WeatherNationSELFIES AROUND THE US - What iconic spot have YOU taken your favorite selfie? Nice weather today meant this constru… https://t.co/SIDOQknHiC
8 hours ago by WeatherNationSHOWER OF FIRE - Check out this terrifying video as embers from a palm tree on fire were spewed onto a house nearby… https://t.co/WFekKXZEHd
9 hours ago by WeatherNationNEW: Winter Storm Watches for SE Wyoming, including Cheyenne and Laramie. Significant snow possible on Friday & Sat… https://t.co/3F9qmZUKM4
9 hours ago by WeatherNation#BREAKING: Death toll in California's Camp Fire reaches 56 according to the sheriff's office. #CampFire https://t.co/83Padnss3x
DANGEROUS ROADS! Icy and wet roads leading to numerous accidents across the South. Make sure to take your time to w… https://t.co/eDUnBr83oz
11 hours ago by WeatherNationSnowy day for Arkansas, roads may be icy this evening. Please be careful if you're in the area. https://t.co/TP6rBjPBMn
A clipper system is moving into the Midwest later this week - and along with it, a big Arctic chill.… https://t.co/4oVZldvf4J
12 hours ago by WeatherNationTREE ON FIRE - Embers from wildfires can be transported near ... and far ... by windy conditions as we've seen in S… https://t.co/G2Nx3dDstT
14 hours ago by WeatherNationEast Storm Brings Ice Accumulation Before Snow -->https://t.co/7NPpbQAq9M https://t.co/RdIY8UwOV7
"SNOW"-ING IN MEMPHIS?! I bet @lonestarband @cher & @MarcCohn would be "Walking In Memphis" like these people and r… https://t.co/ts8CBJyjnq
16 hours ago by WeatherNationFire weather conditions in Southern California remain high through the end of the workweek -> https://t.co/QsDbcDlXEY
16 hours ago by WeatherNationNEIGHBORHOODS BURNED - An estimated 483 homes have already been destroyed by the #WoolseyFire, which as of Wednesda… https://t.co/jjvWxOIXz6
17 hours ago by WeatherNationThe flakes were flying earlier this morning in Monroe, Louisiana. This is the earliest measurable snowfall EVER i… https://t.co/54AUmhGAoF
17 hours ago by WeatherNationOur field teams are one the ground as ❄️SNOW❄️ falls across #Arkansas. We are tracking this storm all the way to… https://t.co/3tOTLjE6TN
19 hours ago by WeatherNationThe same storm system that will bring wintry weather from the mid-South to the Appalachians will likely produce flo… https://t.co/khC6QNUTdf
19 hours ago by WeatherNationA look at how NOAA assisted in clearing shipping hazards for mariners and armed services after Hurricane Florence:… https://t.co/CBbSwceDRJ
20 hours ago by WeatherNation