####018002580#### FNUS22 KWNS 291812 FWDDY2 Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1211 PM CST Sun Dec 29 2024 Valid 301200Z - 311200Z ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS INTO THE BIG BEND... Based on the latest high-resolution forecast guidance, the Elevated area was expanded north along the Front Range and farther east on the Plains, and the Critical area was expanded slightly as well. While temperatures will be in the 40s along the Front Range, wind gusts of 40-65 mph and dry fine fuels will compensate leading to elevated to locally critical fire weather conditions. The Elevated area was expanded eastward on the Texas Rolling Plains and Hill Country as winds strengthen and RH lowers behind the dryline. Additionally, a small Elevated area was added for portions of the Transverse Ranges in southern California due to sufficient northerly/offshore pressure gradients with gusty winds (25-45 mph) and lowering RH (15-30%) developing late overnight and early morning. This will mark the beginning of a Santa Ana wind event. ..Nauslar.. 12/29/2024 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0146 AM CST Sun Dec 29 2024/ ...Synopsis... Enhanced westerly flow aloft will overspread the central/southern Rockies through the base of a mid-level shortwave moving across the central/southern Plains on D2/Monday. Resulting surface cyclogenesis and strengthening lee troughing will lead to an increase in westerly surface winds across portions of the southern High Plains. This will support a broad region of Elevated to Critical fire weather concerns across areas from southeastern Colorado to the Oklahoma Panhandle and into New Mexico and Texas. ...Eastern New Mexico, Texas/Oklahoma Panhandle, Western Texas... Warm/dry/gusty westerly downslope flow is expected across eastern New Mexico into western Texas/Oklahoma Monday. Afternoon relative-humidity reductions to around 10-20 percent (driest across portions of western Texas) will overlap surface winds sustained around 20-25 mph. Fuels within this region have seen drying over the last several days. While latest fuel guidance suggests 100-hr fuels are largely marginal, the extended period of critical winds and relative humidity should lead to further drying (especially of fine fuels), supporting risk for fire spread. The previous D3 70 percent was converted to a Critical area to support this risk. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... $$