Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook  
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0100 AM CST Sat Jan 17 2026

Valid 171200Z - 181200Z

...Synopsis...
Much of the Continental U.S. east of the Rockies will be dominated
by mid-level troughing, with the surface conditions primarily
characterized by cold air advection due to an intensifying surface
pressure gradient as high pressure builds over the Central Great
Plains. While much of the U.S. will experience cooler temperatures,
some Elevated fire-weather concerns are anticipated this afternoon
over portions of Central and Southern Texas where dry and breezy
post-frontal conditions overlap with receptive fuels. 

...Central and Southern Texas...
Though the surface cold front will already be well into the Gulf by
early morning, daytime heating and mixing during the afternoon are
expected to bring surface temperatures into the upper 40s in Central
TX to the upper 50s in Southern TX. Relative humidity as low as 15%
will overlap with fuels that exceed the 99th seasonal percentile for
ERCs, and winds are expected to be in the 15-20 MPH range (gusting
to 25 MPH). Given the duration and intensity of these conditions,
Elevated highlights have been maintained, with locally Critical
conditions possible with the most intense surface winds.

...West-Central High Plains...
Dry and windy conditions will persist across eastern Colorado and
Wyoming into western Kansas and Nebraska. Relative humidity as low
as 10-20%, combined with winds of 25-30 MPH (gusting to 40 MPH) may
pose some localized fire-weather concerns. Though fuels do appear to
be receptive, surface temperatures ranging from the low 20s to low
30s F should limit ignition potential and preclude any additional
highlights.

..Halbert.. 01/17/2026

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