####018002043#### FNUS21 KWNS 040801 FWDDY1 Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0200 AM CST Thu Mar 04 2021 Valid 041200Z - 051200Z ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS.... ...Synopsis... Critical fire weather conditions are expected in portions of the southern High Plains today. ...Southern High Plains... A closed mid-level low will move eastward across the southern Rockies today. Lee cyclogenesis is expected to begin in southeast Colorado early today before the surface low shifts southeastward into the Texas Panhandle by evening. As this pressure gradient tightens, winds are expected to increase to 20 to 30 mph across much of the southern High Plains. The strongest winds will be from southeast New Mexico into the western Texas Panhandle and eastern New Mexico where the pressure gradient will be strongest and where strong mid-level flow amid deep mixing will transport stronger winds to the surface. Some breezy southeasterly conditions are expected across Oklahoma and Kansas, but higher relative humidity and fuel moisture will mitigate the overall fire weather threat in these areas. ...North Carolina... Dry and breezy downslope flow is expected in the lee of the Appalachians today. The strongest winds of 15 to 20 mph are expected in North Carolina where relative humidity is also forecast to drop to 18 to 20 percent. Similar downslope flow scenarios and Wednesday's observed relative humidity suggests relative humidity may be even lower than this forecast. However, despite these dry and breezy conditions expected, fuels are still somewhat moist in the region. Coordination with local NWS offices suggests another day or two of drying may be sufficient to support large fire spread, but at this time, fuels are not supportive and therefore, no elevated delineation has been added. ..Bentley.. 03/04/2021 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... $$