Critical Fire Weather Threat Across the High Plains and Southwest
Dangerous fire weather conditions are expected today across a large portion of the High Plains and parts of the Southwest as strong winds combine with very dry air. The most critical areas extend from east-central New Mexico into the northern High Plains, and from north-central Nebraska into central South Dakota. Gusty southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph, along with very low humidity levels, will create an environment where fires can start easily and spread rapidly, especially across dry grasslands and open terrain. Additional concerns include isolated thunderstorms developing along a dry line from the central Plains southward. These storms may produce little rainfall but could generate strong, erratic wind gusts, increasing the risk of fire spread. Conditions may begin to improve later in the day across parts of Nebraska and South Dakota as some moisture returns. Meanwhile, elevated fire weather conditions are also expected across portions of the Mid-Atlantic, where breezy winds and dry fuels will support increased fire danger.