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
More
Warm February Temps and Fire Danger

Warm February Temps and Fire Danger

More record high temperatures were broken acr

15 Feb 2026 11:30 PM
Severe Storms Target the South Sunday

Severe Storms Target the South Sunday

Storms flew through Texas, Louisiana, and Mis

15 Feb 2026 11:05 PM
Rounds of Snow Return to the Rockies

Rounds of Snow Return to the Rockies

ROCKIES - A round of snow and rain is leaving

15 Feb 2026 11:00 PM
Monster Storm System Will Wallop California

Monster Storm System Will Wallop California

After a warm and dry January, the pattern out

15 Feb 2026 10:50 PM
Lingering Snow in the Northeast

Lingering Snow in the Northeast

NORTHEAST - As this next clipper system cont

12 Feb 2026 8:05 AM
Cold Air Remains Across the Northeast

Cold Air Remains Across the Northeast

It was another cold morning on Monday across

10 Feb 2026 2:50 AM
Record Heat Across the Central U.S.

Record Heat Across the Central U.S.

It was a hot day on Monday, February 9th in t

10 Feb 2026 2:45 AM