Fire Weather Outlook Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
666 FNUS21 KWNS 211531 FWDDY1 Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1030 AM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026 Valid 211700Z - 221200Z Minor modifications were made to the IsoDryT area based on the latest observations and forecast guidance. Portions of the IsoDryT area may see more high-based showers with little to no lightning, while a mix of wet/dry storms remains expected. Additionally, a few storms may linger overnight in Oregon. Otherwise, the forecast is on track, and please see the previous discussion for more details. ..Nauslar.. 07/21/2026 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1245 AM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026/ ...Synopsis... ...Northern California and west/central Oregon... Along the northwestern periphery of a large-scale ridge encompassing much of the central and western CONUS, ample mid-level moisture will be in place atop a warm and dry airmass across parts of northern CA into OR. Forecast soundings depict inverted-V profiles with weak (albeit sufficient) buoyancy for high-based thunderstorms across the area during the afternoon and evening hours. Cloud cover, smoke, and warmer temperatures aloft will help limit thunderstorm development/coverage across the IsoDryT area, but isolated thunderstorms remain possible. While 0.8 to 1.2 inch PWATs may promote a mix of wet/dry storms, relatively fast storm motions and the dry boundary layer should limit precipitation efficiency. As a result, isolated lightning-induced ignitions will be possible within a very dry fuelscape. ...South Carolina... Progressive upper-level troughing will continue across the northeastern U.S. as a closed low traverses northern Ontario, sending a cold front through the Ohio Valley. Enhanced 850 mb southwesterly flow ahead of the front will encourage gusty surface winds amid minimum RH values of 30-40% in portions of South Carolina. Locally elevated fire weather conditions are likely, as ERCs generally range from the 80th-95th percentile across this area. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... $$