logo
Strong Winds and High Fire Danger for the Southern Plains This Weekend
news image
Top Stories
5 Apr 2018 4:58 AM
We have been talking about the heavy rain impacting the West Coast and even the heavy snow chance in the High Plains, but areas that haven't been seeing precipitation over the past several months will be dealing with an increasing fire weather risk.

Drought Monitor

Here is the latest drought monitor for the central and southwestern U.S..  You can see extreme to exceptional drought conditions over parts of New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.  These are the same areas that need to be on alert for fire weather Saturday and Sunday.

Fire Weather Ingredients

All the ingredients will be there over the weekend for a dangerous fire risk.  I already mentioned the drought conditions, so we know it's very dry in these areas. Temperatures will be very warm with highs in the upper 80s and low 90s over parts of New Mexico and Texas. The winds will be strong on Sunday as well...and these strong winds help to fuel and spread any fires that develop. So all the weather conditions needed for a fire weather threat will be there this weekend.  Warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds.  Be ready for fire weather watches and red flag warnings over a majority of the areas in extreme drought conditions for Saturday and Sunday.

Extended Outlook

Looking at the extended forecast into mid-April, there is a chance the fire weather danger will continue in these same areas.  We are expect above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation over this region from April 12th -> April 18th.   Meteorologist Patrick Crawford  
All Weather News
Thursday & Friday Severe Weather Threat
Thursday & Friday Severe Weather Threat
Confidence is increasing in the threat of str
29 Mar 2023 2:50 AM
Latest Storm Continues to Slam California With Rain and Snow
Latest Storm Continues to Slam California With Rain and Snow
CALIFORNIA - We have had an incredible snow s
29 Mar 2023 2:40 AM
Avalanche Risk Remains Considerable Through the Rockies With More Snow This Week
Avalanche Risk Remains Considerable Through the Rockies With More Snow This Week
Are you headed into the High Country over the
29 Mar 2023 12:45 AM
Winter Continues in the Western U.S. With Snow in the Rockies & Cascades
Winter Continues in the Western U.S. With Snow in the Rockies & Cascades
The same storm system that is impacting Calif
29 Mar 2023 12:45 AM
Multiple Waves of Snow for the High Plains This Week
Multiple Waves of Snow for the High Plains This Week
The last few days of March will feature an ac
29 Mar 2023 12:40 AM
Snow Stretches From the Great Lakes to the Northeast
Snow Stretches From the Great Lakes to the Northeast
A quick-moving area of low pressure will swee
29 Mar 2023 12:35 AM
Flooding & Strong Storms in the Deep South
Flooding & Strong Storms in the Deep South
Lingering storms will continue to push along
28 Mar 2023 11:15 PM