ZCZC SPCFWDDY2 ALL
   FNUS22 KWNS 230607

   Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0107 AM CDT Mon Mar 23 2026

   Valid 241200Z - 251200Z

   ...NO CRITICAL AREAS...

   ...Synopsis...
   The western upper-level ridge will amplify on Tuesday. With the
   eastern surface high weakening and moving offshore, the surface
   pressure gradient will weaken compared to previous days. Pockets of
   marginally dry and breezy conditions may occur in central Plains and
   the Midwest. A weak lee trough will also encourage localized dry and
   windy conditions in the immediate lee of southern/central Rockies.
   Given the marginal fire weather conditions expected, only localized
   concerns are expected at this time.

   ..Wendt.. 03/23/2026

      

   ZCZC SPCFWDD38 ALL
   FNUS28 KWNS 222040

   Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook  
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0340 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2026

   Valid 241200Z - 301200Z

   An upper level ridge continues to build back across the western US
   on Day 3/Tuesday. Although less intense and shorter in duration than
   the recent heatwave, this will once again likely break daily high
   temperature records over much of the southern two-thirds of the
   western US. On Day 4/Wednesday, a potent upper-level trough
   approaches the Pacific Northwest and will significantly dampen the
   amplitude of the ridge as it moves across the northern CONUS border
   on Day 5/Thursday. The jet max will exit the Eastern Seaboard on Day
   6/Friday. While some differences exist among various forecast
   guidance, the western US upper-level ridge will likely build back by
   next weekend. Forecast guidance suggests that this ridge will be
   nudged eastward by a robust trough moving across the northern
   Pacific, but the timing and speed of this movement is uncertain at
   this point.

   On Day 4/Wednesday, as the ridge over the western US breaks down,
   warm surface temperatures will support a robust boundary layer,
   mixing strong westerly winds associated with the passing upper-level
   jet to the surface. Forecast guidance indicates sustained west winds
   of 20-30 mph will combine with RHs of 10-20% at the surface for
   several hours during the afternoon. This warrants a 70% area for
   much of east-central Wyoming while 40% probabilities cover portions
   of northern Colorado, extreme northeast Utah, extreme southwest
   South Dakota, and much of the Nebraska Panhandle where surface winds
   will be slightly weaker.

   On Day 5/Thursday, a cold front, supported by the aforementioned
   passing upper-level trough, is expected to surge south across the
   central and southern Plains. The 40% probability area was expanded
   slightly east due to forecast guidance advecting drier conditions
   farther across the southern Plains. While uncertainty in the timing
   and evolution of this front will likely necessitate adjustments to
   the risk area over the coming days, the southern High Plains
   currently stands the best chance to experience critical fire weather
   conditions with the frontal passage.

   On Day 7/Saturday, northerly winds behind the cold front passing
   through the Southeast CONUS late on Day 6/Friday could produce
   downslope flow, contributing to lower RHs and gusty surface winds
   once again. However, precipitation between now and then is likely
   across portions of the area. Where rainfall may accumulate will
   likely dictate the extent of any fire weather concerns over this
   region. No areas have been introduced, but this region will be
   watched over the coming days.

   ..Stearns.. 03/22/2026