Fire Weather Outlook Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
323 FNUS21 KWNS 291524 FWDDY1 Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1023 AM CDT Sat Aug 29 2026 Valid 291700Z - 301200Z No changes were made to the Elevated wind/RH area in place over portions of the Pacific Northwest and adjoining regions as well the area over the southern Plains. The latest forecast guidance remains on track with previous outlook issuances. Surface observations as of late this morning indicate south-southwesterly winds of 15-20 mph in place over the southern Plains as the surface trough tightens the pressure gradient. A well-mixed boundary layer amid hot surface temperatures will support afternoon RHs below 20-25% across the highlighted area. Sufficient instability (CAPE near 100-500 J/kg) will support wet and dry thunderstorms over portions of north-central WA later this afternoon amid increasing dynamic lift within the left exit region of the jet streak ahead of the approaching trough. While moisture content ahead of this trough remains low (precipitable water values near 0.5-0.6"), much below normal temperatures today and accumulating rainfall likely on Day 2/Sunday where convection is most likely to occur this afternoon. Continued cooler than normal conditions and higher RHs persist through much of the coming week over this area as well. While a few new lightning ignitions are not out of the question due to dry (but moistening) fuels, they will be significantly moderated by the aforementioned environmental conditions over the next several days. ..Stearns.. 08/29/2026 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1215 AM CDT Sat Aug 29 2026/ ...Synopsis... ...Southeast Oregon into northeast California and northwest Nevada... Surface winds are expected to increase ahead of a boundary on Saturday. Winds of 15-20 mph will be possible during the afternoon. Elevated fire weather is expected within a narrow zone of 15-20% RH that will reside between the surface boundary and richer mid-level moisture/clouds to the south east. ...Southern High Plains into south-central Kansas... The presence of a surface trough from the central Plains into the southern High Plains will allow 15-20 mph to develop by the afternoon. Hot temperatures underneath the upper ridge will help lower humidity to 20-25%. Drought-stressed fuels will support an elevated fire weather threat despite recent rainfall. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... $$