High Wildfire Danger

Unseasonably warm conditions are expected this afternoon, as an area of low pressure strengthens across eastern Colorado and western Kansas. In response to this deepening low pressure, south winds will crank up to 20-30 mph with some gusts around 40 mph. The strong winds will combine with relative humidity values in the 20-30% range to create a high risk for fast-spreading wildfires this afternoon. Though winds will decrease some what overnight, a tight pressure gradient will remain across the region resulting in south winds of 15-20 mph.

Southerly winds will gradually shift and blow out of the north Monday afternoon with the passage of a cold front, which will provide a 30% chance of showers and storms; primarily across far eastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas. The return of dry air and blustery conditions Tuesday will once again raise the risk of wildfires to very high.