Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook  
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1059 AM CST Tue Jan 20 2026

Valid 201700Z - 211200Z

Broad northwesterly flow aloft ahead of an approaching mid-level
short wave will persist over the Southern Rockies. A deepening 
surface low currently across the northern High Plains is still
expected to drop southward into southeastern CO by late afternoon.
Resultant downslope flow in the lee of the Rockies is supporting
current RH values below 10 percent across south-central CO. The dry
conditions and receptive fuels will combine with west winds of 15-20
mph to bring a elevated fire weather conditions to locations in the
lee of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in southern CO through this
afternoon. A broader east-northwest wind field of 15-20 mph across
northeastern CO, southwestern NE, and northwest KS along with RH
reductions in the 15-20 percent range amid receptive fuels will
support an elevated fire weather threat today. Veering winds
associated with an advancing cold front will move into northeast CO
and vicinity by late afternoon, allowing for colder temperatures and
rising RH within northerly flow to diminish fire weather concerns
this evening.

..Williams.. 01/20/2026

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0145 AM CST Tue Jan 20 2026/

...Synopsis...
A low-amplitude shortwave trough and accompanying speed maximum will
cross the central Rockies during the afternoon, while an attendant
surface low tracks south-southeastward along the northern/central
High Plains. Related downslope flow will yield 10-15 percent RH
across much of the central High Plains, where around 20 mph
sustained northwesterly surface winds (with higher gusts) are
expected. These dry/windy conditions will favor elevated to locally
critical fire-weather conditions over northeastern CO, southwestern
NE, and northwest KS. A separate corridor of elevated fire-weather
conditions is expected in the lee of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
in southern CO, with locally critical conditions possible within the
gap flow areas. Between these two corridors, recent snowfall should
limit fire-weather concerns. 

Elsewhere, modestly breezy northeasterly surface winds are expected
amid a dry antecedent air mass across parts of the western and
central FL Peninsula, where locally elevated fire-weather conditions
are possible.

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