628 
FNUS22 KWNS 230557
FWDDY2

Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook  
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1257 AM CDT Thu Apr 23 2026

Valid 241200Z - 251200Z

...Synopsis...
On Day 2/Friday, upper level ridging across the eastern U.S. will begin to flatten, transitioning to a fairly zonal flow regime over much of the southern CONUS. Meanwhile, a large-scale upper trough will persist over the north-central U.S. along the Canadian border. Expect very breezy and continued dry conditions through the end of the work week over the Southwest and southern and central High Plains.


...Southwest and Southern Plains...
The aforementioned westerly winds aloft will mix down to the surface during peak heating, leading to strong westerly downslope flow (sustained at 15-20 mph) and critically low RH (10-15%) that will overlap very dry fuels on Day 2/Friday. Following several preceding days of heightened fire weather conditions, the environment will be further exacerbated across portions of the Southwest and southern Plains. Winds look to be particularly strong near the Palmer Divide in east-central CO; this area will be monitored for meeting Critical thresholds if trends in forecast guidance continue. Increasing clouds cover later in the day on Day 2/Friday is expected over much of the region, which will likely work to mitigate some of the fire weather threat before sunset. 

..Stearns/Williams.. 04/23/2026


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


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