FNUS21 KWNS 220608

FWDDY1



Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook  

NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK

0107 AM CDT Sun Mar 22 2026



Valid 221200Z - 231200Z



...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PORTIONS OF THE TEXAS

PANHANDLE...SOUTH PLAINS...ROLLING PLAINS...SOUTHWEST AND CENTRAL

OKLAHOMA...



...Synopsis...

A cold front will move southward into the southern Plains today. Dry

and breezy conditions are expected both ahead of and behind the

front.



...Texas Panhandle/South Plains/Rolling Plains into central

Oklahoma...

The fire environment will be somewhat complex today. The timing of

the cold front still appears to be during the mid/late morning in

the southern High Plains and early afternoon for central Oklahoma. 

Winds will be westerly/southwesterly ahead of the front with a sharp

change to northerly behind it. Temperatures in the 80s/90s F are

possible ahead of the front. Even behind the front, areas of 70s F

are still possible in the High Plains. Winds of 20-25 mph (perhaps

locally higher) are forecast in the pre- and post-frontal

environment. Strong gusts will also occur. Given ERC values at or

above the 95th percentile due to anomalously warm/hot temperatures

and ongoing drought, Critical fire weather is possible even in areas

where RH will be in the 25-30% range. That said, locations ahead of

the front will likely be quite dry during the afternoon (10-20% can

be expected).



...Southwest...

A very dry airmass will be in place during the afternoon. RH in the

single digits is certainly possible, though the spatial extent is

not clear. 10-15% RH will be observed more broadly. Relatively weak

winds will limit the overall fire weather threat. 10-15 mph can be

expected in most places with perhaps some higher speeds within the

terrain. Elevated fire weather concerns are expected.



...Central Texas into parts of the Ozarks...

Dry and breezy conditions will occur ahead of the front.

Southwesterly winds of 15-20 mph are generally expected, though some

locally higher winds are possible. RH will drop to 20-30% by the

afternoon. Fuel receptiveness generally decreases with eastward

extent given rainfall in the last week. Even so, Elevated fire

weather is expected for these areas.



..Wendt.. 03/22/2026



...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product...



$$