Fire Weather Risk for the Southwest and Southern Plains Today and Thursday

news image
Top Stories
11 Apr 2018 3:17 AM
Weather conditions are coming together for the parts of the Southwest and the southern and central Plains for a major fire weather threat.  All the ingredients will be there today...drought conditions, gusty winds and very low humidity.

Fire Weather Alerts

Red Flag Warnings have been issued for Arizona and New Mexico...as well as parts of Colorado, Texas, Kansas and Nebraska.  A red flag warning is a forecast warning issued by the National Weather Service to inform area firefighting and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fire combustion, and rapid spread.  Here are the conditions needed to have a red flag warning. Strong winds, warm temperatures and low humidity are all needed to meet the criteria for a red flag warning.

Temperature Forecast

Take a look at all the heat that will be building over the region today and tomorrow.  Highs should be well into the 90s for parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

Wind Forecast

Wind speeds will be increasing for both Wednesday and Thursday.  It looks like Thursday's winds will be even stronger with consistent wind speeds of 25 - 35 mph for the entire region.  These strong winds will help any fire that starts to spread rapidly and make containment very difficult.

Drought Monitor

We are seeing extreme and critical drought conditions over the same areas that are under a red flag warning.  Moisture is desperately needed in these areas, but it doesn't look like there are any rain chances in the short-term forecast. If you live in these areas under the warning please us caution with any outdoor flames and sparks.  Also, avoid any outdoor burning.   Meteorologist Patrick Crawford  
All Weather News
More
Major Snow Maker Aims at the Carolinas & Mid-Atlantic

Major Snow Maker Aims at the Carolinas & Mid-Atlantic

A strengthening coastal low is expected to br

30 Jan 2026 3:10 AM
Cold Alerts Issued as 200K+ Customers Remain Without Power

Cold Alerts Issued as 200K+ Customers Remain Without Power

While it's now been several days since the wi

30 Jan 2026 3:10 AM
Lake-Effect Snow Continues, Shifts Toward Chicago This Weekend

Lake-Effect Snow Continues, Shifts Toward Chicago This Weekend

Persistent bursts of cold air have continued

30 Jan 2026 3:05 AM
Rain Finally Makes a Return to the Northwest

Rain Finally Makes a Return to the Northwest

Earlier this week, Seattle recorded 2 straigh

30 Jan 2026 3:05 AM
Gulf-Effect Snow Possible This Weekend

Gulf-Effect Snow Possible This Weekend

You've been warned, iguanas. We've had glanci

30 Jan 2026 2:30 AM
Thousands Without Power as another Systems Brews

Thousands Without Power as another Systems Brews

ABOVE - Up to one inch of ice accumulated acr

29 Jan 2026 12:30 PM
Cold Air Sticks Around the Central to Eastern U.S.

Cold Air Sticks Around the Central to Eastern U.S.

Temperatures have been record-breaking with h

29 Jan 2026 2:50 AM