Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook  
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1121 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

Valid 181700Z - 191200Z

The forecast remains on track for elevated fire weather conditions
across portions of the Pacific Northwest and the northern High
Plains today. Current (16z) observations depict RH values quickly
plummeting beneath mostly clear skies -- apart from areas of dense
smoke in central-eastern OR/WA -- and a few wind gusts of 20+ mph in
terrain-favored areas. This afternoon, high temperatures across the
risk areas will approach 90-95 degrees (locally higher) yielding
better boundary layer mixing, allowing for RH values to decline to
less than 20% amid sustained winds of 10-15 mph (west-southwesterly
in the Northwest, southeasterly in the northern High Plains).
Despite several days of thunderstorms across OR/WA/ID, fuels remain
very dry with ERCs at or above the 90th percentile. Combined
meteorological conditions and a dry fuelscape will promote an
Elevated fire risk, especially in the Northwest where an abundance
of lightning strikes over the last several days has led to the
emergence of numerous wildfires.

..Elizalde-Garcia.. 07/18/2026

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1250 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026/

...Synopsis...
Along the northwestern periphery of an expansive upper ridge over
the West, a midlevel trough will advance eastward across BC and the
Northwest during the day. Within the base of the trough, strong
midlevel southwesterly flow will overspread WA, OR, northern CA, and
northwest NV. Associated downslope flow in the lee of the Cascades
and northern Sierra will aid in deep boundary-layer mixing into the
strengthening flow aloft. This will yield a broad area of 15 mph
sustained west-southwesterly surface winds (with higher gusts) amid
10-15 percent RH. Locally stronger surface winds can be expected in
terrain-favored/gap-flow areas through the Cascades. Given
dry/receptive fuels across region, elevated fire-weather conditions
are expected. 

Farther east, lee troughing over the northern High Plains will
promote 10-15 mph sustained easterly surface winds across parts of
southeastern WY during the afternoon. These winds, combined with
15-20 percent RH and dry fuels, will favor elevated fire-weather
conditions.

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