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SPC Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0205 AM CST Thu Feb 29 2024 Valid 011200Z - 021200Z ...Synopsis... A weak upper low over the southern Plains will continue eastward Friday with strong flow aloft trailing behind it over the southern Rockies/High Plains. At the same time a second Pacific trough will begin to move onshore with strong southwest flow. In the wake of the upper low, surface winds across the West should begin to slowly increase in response to the stronger flow aloft. Periods of dry and breezy conditions are possible Friday across eastern NM and the TX Panhandle. ...Eastern NM and the TX Panhandle... As the upper low over the southern Plains departs, flow aloft will gradually turn westerly ahead of the advancing Pacific system. Winds aloft are forecast to gradually strengthen through the day, with 40-50 kt of flow over the southern Rockies likely by the afternoon. Aided by a deepening lee trough, 15-20 mph of westerly downslope flow is expected over parts of eastern NM into the western TX Panhandle. Despite some recent light precipitation, this area has remained largely devoid of meaningful rain/snow in the past several weeks. Warm temperatures and downslope drying should continue to support a very dry air mass with minimum RH values of 15-20% and poor overnight recoveries. Rapid fuel drying has occurred in the last few days with unusually warm temperatures and a recent uptick in fire activity. Widespread elevated to locally critical fire-weather conditions appear possible Friday afternoon cross parts of eastern NM and West TX. Localized fire-weather concerns may also increase farther north across parts of eastern CO, though confidence in sustained dry and windy conditions here is lower. ..Lyons.. 02/29/2024 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

SPC Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0205 AM CST Thu Feb 29 2024 Valid 011200Z - 021200Z ...Synopsis... A weak upper low over the southern Plains will continue eastward Friday with strong flow aloft trailing behind it over the southern Rockies/High Plains. At the same time a second Pacific trough will begin to move onshore with strong southwest flow. In the wake of the upper low, surface winds across the West should begin to slowly increase in response to the stronger flow aloft. Periods of dry and breezy conditions are possible Friday across eastern NM and the TX Panhandle. ...Eastern NM and the TX Panhandle... As the upper low over the southern Plains departs, flow aloft will gradually turn westerly ahead of the advancing Pacific system. Winds aloft are forecast to gradually strengthen through the day, with 40-50 kt of flow over the southern Rockies likely by the afternoon. Aided by a deepening lee trough, 15-20 mph of westerly downslope flow is expected over parts of eastern NM into the western TX Panhandle. Despite some recent light precipitation, this area has remained largely devoid of meaningful rain/snow in the past several weeks. Warm temperatures and downslope drying should continue to support a very dry air mass with minimum RH values of 15-20% and poor overnight recoveries. Rapid fuel drying has occurred in the last few days with unusually warm temperatures and a recent uptick in fire activity. Widespread elevated to locally critical fire-weather conditions appear possible Friday afternoon cross parts of eastern NM and West TX. Localized fire-weather concerns may also increase farther north across parts of eastern CO, though confidence in sustained dry and windy conditions here is lower. ..Lyons.. 02/29/2024 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

SPC Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0205 AM CST Thu Feb 29 2024 Valid 011200Z - 021200Z ...Synopsis... A weak upper low over the southern Plains will continue eastward Friday with strong flow aloft trailing behind it over the southern Rockies/High Plains. At the same time a second Pacific trough will begin to move onshore with strong southwest flow. In the wake of the upper low, surface winds across the West should begin to slowly increase in response to the stronger flow aloft. Periods of dry and breezy conditions are possible Friday across eastern NM and the TX Panhandle. ...Eastern NM and the TX Panhandle... As the upper low over the southern Plains departs, flow aloft will gradually turn westerly ahead of the advancing Pacific system. Winds aloft are forecast to gradually strengthen through the day, with 40-50 kt of flow over the southern Rockies likely by the afternoon. Aided by a deepening lee trough, 15-20 mph of westerly downslope flow is expected over parts of eastern NM into the western TX Panhandle. Despite some recent light precipitation, this area has remained largely devoid of meaningful rain/snow in the past several weeks. Warm temperatures and downslope drying should continue to support a very dry air mass with minimum RH values of 15-20% and poor overnight recoveries. Rapid fuel drying has occurred in the last few days with unusually warm temperatures and a recent uptick in fire activity. Widespread elevated to locally critical fire-weather conditions appear possible Friday afternoon cross parts of eastern NM and West TX. Localized fire-weather concerns may also increase farther north across parts of eastern CO, though confidence in sustained dry and windy conditions here is lower. ..Lyons.. 02/29/2024 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

SPC Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0205 AM CST Thu Feb 29 2024 Valid 011200Z - 021200Z ...Synopsis... A weak upper low over the southern Plains will continue eastward Friday with strong flow aloft trailing behind it over the southern Rockies/High Plains. At the same time a second Pacific trough will begin to move onshore with strong southwest flow. In the wake of the upper low, surface winds across the West should begin to slowly increase in response to the stronger flow aloft. Periods of dry and breezy conditions are possible Friday across eastern NM and the TX Panhandle. ...Eastern NM and the TX Panhandle... As the upper low over the southern Plains departs, flow aloft will gradually turn westerly ahead of the advancing Pacific system. Winds aloft are forecast to gradually strengthen through the day, with 40-50 kt of flow over the southern Rockies likely by the afternoon. Aided by a deepening lee trough, 15-20 mph of westerly downslope flow is expected over parts of eastern NM into the western TX Panhandle. Despite some recent light precipitation, this area has remained largely devoid of meaningful rain/snow in the past several weeks. Warm temperatures and downslope drying should continue to support a very dry air mass with minimum RH values of 15-20% and poor overnight recoveries. Rapid fuel drying has occurred in the last few days with unusually warm temperatures and a recent uptick in fire activity. Widespread elevated to locally critical fire-weather conditions appear possible Friday afternoon cross parts of eastern NM and West TX. Localized fire-weather concerns may also increase farther north across parts of eastern CO, though confidence in sustained dry and windy conditions here is lower. ..Lyons.. 02/29/2024 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal pleaded with the public not to burn materials outdoors in open areas amid dry, windy conditions. KPEL 96.5 (Lafayette, La.), Feb 28, 2024

SPC Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0202 AM CST Thu Feb 29 2024 Valid 291200Z - 011200Z ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PARTS OF THE CENTRAL PLAINS... ...Synopsis... In the wake of a departing upper trough over the eastern US, a weak trough over the southern Plains should lift north into the central US. At the surface, high pressure over the eastern US will drive strong southerly return flow across parts of OK KS and NE this afternoon. Warm and dry surface conditions will also be present supporting potential for critical fire-weather conditions. ...Central Plains... With the approach of the weak upper low, surface pressure gradients are forecast to quickly tighten over the southern and central Plains. Surface winds will quickly increase to 20-25 mph with gusts as high as 30-35 mph through the day. Aided by clear skies and strong heating, afternoon RH values within the dry southerly flow should fall as low as 15-20%. While area fuel loading is not particularly dense, numerous days of preceding dry and windy conditions have resulted in critical dryness of short-hour fuels. Large vapor pressure deficits combined with the strong winds and clear skies should support additional drying through the day. Thus, widespread elevated and critical fire-weather conditions appear likely across parts of north-central/northeast KS into southeastern NE. ...Gulf Coast... Dry surface conditions are also possible across parts of the Southeast and central Gulf Coast in the wake of the departing cold front. While winds are not overly strong, lower humidity should overlap with areas of limited rainfall in recent weeks. Localized fire-weather concerns are possible before rain chances increase late tonight into Friday. ..Lyons.. 02/29/2024 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

SPC Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0202 AM CST Thu Feb 29 2024 Valid 291200Z - 011200Z ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PARTS OF THE CENTRAL PLAINS... ...Synopsis... In the wake of a departing upper trough over the eastern US, a weak trough over the southern Plains should lift north into the central US. At the surface, high pressure over the eastern US will drive strong southerly return flow across parts of OK KS and NE this afternoon. Warm and dry surface conditions will also be present supporting potential for critical fire-weather conditions. ...Central Plains... With the approach of the weak upper low, surface pressure gradients are forecast to quickly tighten over the southern and central Plains. Surface winds will quickly increase to 20-25 mph with gusts as high as 30-35 mph through the day. Aided by clear skies and strong heating, afternoon RH values within the dry southerly flow should fall as low as 15-20%. While area fuel loading is not particularly dense, numerous days of preceding dry and windy conditions have resulted in critical dryness of short-hour fuels. Large vapor pressure deficits combined with the strong winds and clear skies should support additional drying through the day. Thus, widespread elevated and critical fire-weather conditions appear likely across parts of north-central/northeast KS into southeastern NE. ...Gulf Coast... Dry surface conditions are also possible across parts of the Southeast and central Gulf Coast in the wake of the departing cold front. While winds are not overly strong, lower humidity should overlap with areas of limited rainfall in recent weeks. Localized fire-weather concerns are possible before rain chances increase late tonight into Friday. ..Lyons.. 02/29/2024 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

SPC Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0202 AM CST Thu Feb 29 2024 Valid 291200Z - 011200Z ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PARTS OF THE CENTRAL PLAINS... ...Synopsis... In the wake of a departing upper trough over the eastern US, a weak trough over the southern Plains should lift north into the central US. At the surface, high pressure over the eastern US will drive strong southerly return flow across parts of OK KS and NE this afternoon. Warm and dry surface conditions will also be present supporting potential for critical fire-weather conditions. ...Central Plains... With the approach of the weak upper low, surface pressure gradients are forecast to quickly tighten over the southern and central Plains. Surface winds will quickly increase to 20-25 mph with gusts as high as 30-35 mph through the day. Aided by clear skies and strong heating, afternoon RH values within the dry southerly flow should fall as low as 15-20%. While area fuel loading is not particularly dense, numerous days of preceding dry and windy conditions have resulted in critical dryness of short-hour fuels. Large vapor pressure deficits combined with the strong winds and clear skies should support additional drying through the day. Thus, widespread elevated and critical fire-weather conditions appear likely across parts of north-central/northeast KS into southeastern NE. ...Gulf Coast... Dry surface conditions are also possible across parts of the Southeast and central Gulf Coast in the wake of the departing cold front. While winds are not overly strong, lower humidity should overlap with areas of limited rainfall in recent weeks. Localized fire-weather concerns are possible before rain chances increase late tonight into Friday. ..Lyons.. 02/29/2024 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

SPC Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0202 AM CST Thu Feb 29 2024 Valid 291200Z - 011200Z ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PARTS OF THE CENTRAL PLAINS... ...Synopsis... In the wake of a departing upper trough over the eastern US, a weak trough over the southern Plains should lift north into the central US. At the surface, high pressure over the eastern US will drive strong southerly return flow across parts of OK KS and NE this afternoon. Warm and dry surface conditions will also be present supporting potential for critical fire-weather conditions. ...Central Plains... With the approach of the weak upper low, surface pressure gradients are forecast to quickly tighten over the southern and central Plains. Surface winds will quickly increase to 20-25 mph with gusts as high as 30-35 mph through the day. Aided by clear skies and strong heating, afternoon RH values within the dry southerly flow should fall as low as 15-20%. While area fuel loading is not particularly dense, numerous days of preceding dry and windy conditions have resulted in critical dryness of short-hour fuels. Large vapor pressure deficits combined with the strong winds and clear skies should support additional drying through the day. Thus, widespread elevated and critical fire-weather conditions appear likely across parts of north-central/northeast KS into southeastern NE. ...Gulf Coast... Dry surface conditions are also possible across parts of the Southeast and central Gulf Coast in the wake of the departing cold front. While winds are not overly strong, lower humidity should overlap with areas of limited rainfall in recent weeks. Localized fire-weather concerns are possible before rain chances increase late tonight into Friday. ..Lyons.. 02/29/2024 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

SPC Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0202 AM CST Thu Feb 29 2024 Valid 291200Z - 011200Z ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PARTS OF THE CENTRAL PLAINS... ...Synopsis... In the wake of a departing upper trough over the eastern US, a weak trough over the southern Plains should lift north into the central US. At the surface, high pressure over the eastern US will drive strong southerly return flow across parts of OK KS and NE this afternoon. Warm and dry surface conditions will also be present supporting potential for critical fire-weather conditions. ...Central Plains... With the approach of the weak upper low, surface pressure gradients are forecast to quickly tighten over the southern and central Plains. Surface winds will quickly increase to 20-25 mph with gusts as high as 30-35 mph through the day. Aided by clear skies and strong heating, afternoon RH values within the dry southerly flow should fall as low as 15-20%. While area fuel loading is not particularly dense, numerous days of preceding dry and windy conditions have resulted in critical dryness of short-hour fuels. Large vapor pressure deficits combined with the strong winds and clear skies should support additional drying through the day. Thus, widespread elevated and critical fire-weather conditions appear likely across parts of north-central/northeast KS into southeastern NE. ...Gulf Coast... Dry surface conditions are also possible across parts of the Southeast and central Gulf Coast in the wake of the departing cold front. While winds are not overly strong, lower humidity should overlap with areas of limited rainfall in recent weeks. Localized fire-weather concerns are possible before rain chances increase late tonight into Friday. ..Lyons.. 02/29/2024 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

St. Martin Parish fire officials responded to almost two dozen unattended fires over the weekend that required assistance to control as the flames threatened neighboring property. Fire departments from all across St. Martin Parish dealt with the 23 incidents. KPEL 96.5 (Lafayette, La.), Feb 28, 2024

SPC 0830Z Day 3 Outlook
Day 3 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0135 AM CST Thu Feb 29 2024 Valid 021200Z - 031200Z ...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are not expected on Saturday. ...Synopsis... Isolated thunderstorm chances will continue across parts of the Southeast and FL on Saturday as a weak shortwave impulse migrates across the region. Surface dewpoints in the low/mid 60s across the FL Peninsula are expected. However, a warm and dry layer aloft will limit surface-based instability, with MLCAPE generally less than 750 J/kg. Large-scale ascent also will remain weak across the region. Overall severe potential appears low. Across the western U.S., the upper trough along the Pacific Coast will continue to slowly develop south and east. Isolated thunderstorms may persist near the OR coast and into parts northern CA ..Leitman.. 02/29/2024 Read more

SPC 0830Z Day 3 Outlook
Day 3 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0135 AM CST Thu Feb 29 2024 Valid 021200Z - 031200Z ...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are not expected on Saturday. ...Synopsis... Isolated thunderstorm chances will continue across parts of the Southeast and FL on Saturday as a weak shortwave impulse migrates across the region. Surface dewpoints in the low/mid 60s across the FL Peninsula are expected. However, a warm and dry layer aloft will limit surface-based instability, with MLCAPE generally less than 750 J/kg. Large-scale ascent also will remain weak across the region. Overall severe potential appears low. Across the western U.S., the upper trough along the Pacific Coast will continue to slowly develop south and east. Isolated thunderstorms may persist near the OR coast and into parts northern CA ..Leitman.. 02/29/2024 Read more

SPC 0830Z Day 3 Outlook
Day 3 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0135 AM CST Thu Feb 29 2024 Valid 021200Z - 031200Z ...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are not expected on Saturday. ...Synopsis... Isolated thunderstorm chances will continue across parts of the Southeast and FL on Saturday as a weak shortwave impulse migrates across the region. Surface dewpoints in the low/mid 60s across the FL Peninsula are expected. However, a warm and dry layer aloft will limit surface-based instability, with MLCAPE generally less than 750 J/kg. Large-scale ascent also will remain weak across the region. Overall severe potential appears low. Across the western U.S., the upper trough along the Pacific Coast will continue to slowly develop south and east. Isolated thunderstorms may persist near the OR coast and into parts northern CA ..Leitman.. 02/29/2024 Read more

SPC 0830Z Day 3 Outlook
Day 3 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0135 AM CST Thu Feb 29 2024 Valid 021200Z - 031200Z ...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are not expected on Saturday. ...Synopsis... Isolated thunderstorm chances will continue across parts of the Southeast and FL on Saturday as a weak shortwave impulse migrates across the region. Surface dewpoints in the low/mid 60s across the FL Peninsula are expected. However, a warm and dry layer aloft will limit surface-based instability, with MLCAPE generally less than 750 J/kg. Large-scale ascent also will remain weak across the region. Overall severe potential appears low. Across the western U.S., the upper trough along the Pacific Coast will continue to slowly develop south and east. Isolated thunderstorms may persist near the OR coast and into parts northern CA ..Leitman.. 02/29/2024 Read more

SPC 0830Z Day 3 Outlook
Day 3 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0135 AM CST Thu Feb 29 2024 Valid 021200Z - 031200Z ...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are not expected on Saturday. ...Synopsis... Isolated thunderstorm chances will continue across parts of the Southeast and FL on Saturday as a weak shortwave impulse migrates across the region. Surface dewpoints in the low/mid 60s across the FL Peninsula are expected. However, a warm and dry layer aloft will limit surface-based instability, with MLCAPE generally less than 750 J/kg. Large-scale ascent also will remain weak across the region. Overall severe potential appears low. Across the western U.S., the upper trough along the Pacific Coast will continue to slowly develop south and east. Isolated thunderstorms may persist near the OR coast and into parts northern CA ..Leitman.. 02/29/2024 Read more

Brownsville was in a stage 2 drought warning as Amistad and Falcon reservoirs on the Rio Grande River were very low. ValleyCentral.com (Brownsville, Texas), Feb 28, 2024

Stage 1 drought restrictions took effect for Pflugerville on March 1, allowing outdoor watering only once per week. The aim was to reduce average daily water use by 10% as storage in the Highland Lakes, the city’s main water source, was below 1,200,000 acre-feet. Community Impact (Austin, Texas), Feb 27, 2024

Drought severely stressed and killed many of Mississippi's magnolia trees. Some magnolias may be able to recover and survive, but others were obviously dead. Mississippi Clarion Ledger (Jackson), Feb 26, 2024

The Southwest Florida Water Management District approved a request from Tampa Bay Water to temporarily increase its permitted withdrawals from the Alafia River from 10% to 19% above baseline flow to store more water in the reservoir before the driest part of the dry season, which is typically in April. Tampa Bay Times (Fla.), Feb 27, 2024