Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0250 PM CDT Tue Apr 07 2026 Valid 081200Z - 091200Z ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH-CENTRAL/EASTERN GEORGIA AND SOUTHWEST SOUTH CAROLINA... A Critical risk area was added over southwest South Carolina and into south-central and eastern Georgia. A corridor of strong northeast winds up to 15-20 mph combined with afternoon RHs below 25% will impact the highlighted area. While less likely, it's worth noting that some forecast model guidance is suggesting very dry afternoon RHs below 20% across portions of east-central Georgia. The Elevated area was also expanded across northern North Carolina where northeast winds of 10-15 mph will combine with afternoon RHs under 30-35%. With few exceptions over the expanded area of the Elevated risk, recent rainfall has overall been relatively minimal. As was previously mentioned for the central/southern High Plains, locally elevated conditions will be possible across portions of this region where enhanced by downslope flow conditions. This is especially true in southern South Dakota, southern Wyoming, and eastern Colorado. However, the combination of wind, RH, and fuels is expected to remain just below elevated thresholds through much of the afternoon. ..Stearns.. 04/07/2026 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0215 AM CDT Tue Apr 07 2026/ ...Synopsis... Upper-level ridging will persist across the Southwest on D2/Wednesday as an upper-level trough progresses eastward along the Canadian border. A closed upper-level low will simultaneously approach the California coastline. At the surface, a cold front will progress slowly southward across the central Great Plains while a surface high shifts offshore of the Mid-Atlantic. ...Portions of southwestern South Carolina into western Georgia... Surface high pressure to the north will continue to favor northeasterly flow across much of the Southeast. Sustained surface winds of 10-15 mph are forecast to overlap reduced RH of 25-35% during peak mixing Wednesday afternoon. With dry, receptive fuels in place across the area, this is expected to promote elevated fire weather concerns from southwestern South Carolina into portions of western Georgia. Latest high-res guidance indicates some potential for locally critical conditions across portions of eastern Georgia; however, Critical highlights have been withheld at this time due to uncertainty regarding coverage and duration of sustained surface winds of 15+ mph. Trends will continue to be monitored for future issuances. ...Portions of the central/southern High Plains... Northwesterly flow across the central/southern Rockies will favor lee troughing across portions of the central/southern High Plains. This is expected to support a weak downslope wind regime for D2/Wednesday. While minimum RH values are forecast in the 10-15% range, latest guidance indicates sustained surface winds will remain less than 15 mph across much of the region. Thus, widespread elevated fire weather conditions are not expected at this time. Locally elevated conditions will be possible in gap flow and other favorable areas for terrain enhanced winds, however. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product...Read more
