Fire Weather Outlook Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
117 FNUS21 KWNS 031643 FWDDY1 Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1142 AM CDT Wed Jul 03 2024 Valid 031700Z - 041200Z ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR SOUTHERN IDAHO... ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR EAST-CENTRAL UTAH... ...17Z Update... Elevated highlights for the Sacramento Valley and much of the Great Basin into the Central Rockies have been maintained, with fire weather conditions in the Sacramento Valley expected to diminish by 21-22Z. Much of Eastern Oregon into portions of Northwestern Nevada were removed from the Elevated highlight area due to increasing confidence that surface winds will remain below the 15 MPH criteria. However, locally elevated conditions are possible with surface conditions expected to be hot and dry. The Critical highlight over Southern Idaho has been maintained, with gusts of 25-30 MPH already observed this morning. Relative humidity is anticipated to drop below 15% during the afternoon with fuels that are modestly receptive to wildfire spread. A Critical area was introduced for much of East-Central Utah into the Upper Colorado River Basin. HREF guidance has increased confidence in RH < 15% and wind gusts > 25 MPH occurring, with fuels receptive to wildfire spread, particularly with southwestward extent. ..Halbert/Lyons.. 07/03/2024 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0158 AM CDT Wed Jul 03 2024/ ...Synopsis... A mid-level trough will overspread the northern Rockies while upper ridging prevails across much of the CONUS today. Adequate upper-support associated with the passing mid-level trough will encourage dry and windy conditions across portions of northern California and the northern Great Basin toward the central Rockies. Portions of the Sacramento Valley in California will be the first region impacted by fire weather conditions. 15+ mph sustained northerly surface winds should already be ongoing by the morning hours, with RH decreasing to 15 percent by late morning into early afternoon. Elevated highlights were added to parts of the Sacramento Valley given receptive fuels in the area. 15+ mph sustained westerly surface winds will also overlap with a large area of RH dropping below 15 percent across parts of the Great Basin into the central Rockies. Fuels are also receptive to wildfire spread in this region, warranting the maintenance of Elevated highlights. Critical highlights have also been maintained across portions of the Snake River Plain in southern Idaho, where westerly surface winds may sustain well above 20 mph for at least a few hours around afternoon peak heating. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... $$