Windy, dry conditions to enhance fire risk in Southwest through end the week
By
Maura Kelly, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Mar 25, 2020 4:53 PM EDT
This drone video shot by Brandon Clement captures the moment a tornado develops over a river in Tishomingo, Mississippi, on March 24.
The windy and dry theme that settled over the southwestern United States earlier this week is forecast to continue through the coming days, increasing the fire threat across the area.
A storm system that has been tracking across the western U.S. through the first half of the week will run into an area of high pressure that has been situated over the southeastern portion of the country.
This will create a zone of wind gusts precariously located over eastern Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas, western Oklahoma and Colorado.
Winds are forecast to average 15-30 mph over the interior Southwest with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ expected around 50 mph.
"Travel along stretches of I-25 may be difficult at times due to strong, crosswind gusts as the highway runs mostly perpendicular to the prevailing west to southwest winds," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
While the storm moving through the West will sweep through the region, any meaningful precipitation will be displaced farther north. As temperatures climb well into the 60s, 70s and even the 80s F, the relative humidity will remain low.
Dry conditions have prevailed across parts of the Four Corners region throughout the winter. This has resulted in abnormally dry and extreme short-term drought conditions in the area, according to the United States Drought Monitor.
Prolonged dry conditions partnered with strong wind gusts will push the fire risk from elevated to critical levels at the end of the week.
"Forecasters recommend avoiding the use of power equipment and outdoor flames in these conditions. Parking a vehicle over high, dry brush can start a fire," said Sosnowski.
Any existing or potential fires could spread quickly with the abundance of dry tinder and gusty winds.
"To reduce the risk of flying embers igniting structures on fire, property owners should try to clear dried up leaves and dead vegetation from under and on decks, gutters and eaves and probably anything within 10 feet of the home during periods of high wildfire risk,"
Earlier this month, gusty winds across western Oklahoma helped to quickly expand a brushfire near Beaver, Oklahoma, prompting evacuations in nearby communities.
Gusty winds across the drought-stricken region will also be able to stir up any dust, reducing visibility at times.
Dry conditions are forecast to continue into the weekend, but surface level winds will relax, lowering the fire risk.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo
News / Severe Weather
Windy, dry conditions to enhance fire risk in Southwest through end the week
By Maura Kelly, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Mar 25, 2020 4:53 PM EDT
This drone video shot by Brandon Clement captures the moment a tornado develops over a river in Tishomingo, Mississippi, on March 24.
The windy and dry theme that settled over the southwestern United States earlier this week is forecast to continue through the coming days, increasing the fire threat across the area.
A storm system that has been tracking across the western U.S. through the first half of the week will run into an area of high pressure that has been situated over the southeastern portion of the country.
This will create a zone of wind gusts precariously located over eastern Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas, western Oklahoma and Colorado.
Winds are forecast to average 15-30 mph over the interior Southwest with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ expected around 50 mph.
"Travel along stretches of I-25 may be difficult at times due to strong, crosswind gusts as the highway runs mostly perpendicular to the prevailing west to southwest winds," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
While the storm moving through the West will sweep through the region, any meaningful precipitation will be displaced farther north. As temperatures climb well into the 60s, 70s and even the 80s F, the relative humidity will remain low.
Dry conditions have prevailed across parts of the Four Corners region throughout the winter. This has resulted in abnormally dry and extreme short-term drought conditions in the area, according to the United States Drought Monitor.
Prolonged dry conditions partnered with strong wind gusts will push the fire risk from elevated to critical levels at the end of the week.
"Forecasters recommend avoiding the use of power equipment and outdoor flames in these conditions. Parking a vehicle over high, dry brush can start a fire," said Sosnowski.
Any existing or potential fires could spread quickly with the abundance of dry tinder and gusty winds.
Related:
"To reduce the risk of flying embers igniting structures on fire, property owners should try to clear dried up leaves and dead vegetation from under and on decks, gutters and eaves and probably anything within 10 feet of the home during periods of high wildfire risk,"
Earlier this month, gusty winds across western Oklahoma helped to quickly expand a brushfire near Beaver, Oklahoma, prompting evacuations in nearby communities.
Gusty winds across the drought-stricken region will also be able to stir up any dust, reducing visibility at times.
Dry conditions are forecast to continue into the weekend, but surface level winds will relax, lowering the fire risk.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo