High winds to hike wildfire threat with southern Plains as epicenter
A massive storm will create a vast area of strong winds over the central United States that will push the wildfire risk to extreme levels in portions of the southern Plains.
AccuWeather’s Jon Porter warns of an extreme fire danger for western Texas and the southwestern Plains. Dry weather and wind gusts of 40-80 mph will create dangerous conditions for fires.
A strengthening storm will generate a vast field of strong winds to nearly a million square miles of the United States from Friday to Suday. The combination of powerful gusts and dry brush will create a perfect recipe for fast-moving wildfires, especially over the southern Rockies and Plains, AccuWeather meteorologists warn.
The same storm that brought feet of snow to the Sierra Nevada and inches of rain to some low elevations in California will trigger a severe weather and tornado outbreak over the Central states late this week. As the storm grows in size and strengthens, the wind field will expand.
By Friday, winds can gust to over 40 mph anywhere from the Intermountain West to the Great Plains, Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes. Gusts in some areas can exceed hurricane force (75 mph), outside of severe thunderstorms. The AccuWeather StormMax™ wind gust for this event is 100 mph.
On the colder side of the storm, from the central Rockies to the northern Plains, the winds will whip falling snow around and may create blizzard conditions.
Farther south, powerful winds from Arizona to western Texas and western Oklahoma will pick up dust that can create dangerous dust storms. The risk of high-profile vehicle roll-overs due to crosswinds can accompany the drastic drop in visibility.
Dust from the Southwest states can be blown as far east as the Great Lakes and Atlantic coast by the weekend. Major dust storms are likely close to the source of the highest winds on Friday.
The greatest risk to lives and property will be from fast-moving wildfires. The combination of dry brush, warm and dry air and high winds can allow any sparks from utility lines or power equipment to ignite a blaze that can be extremely fast-moving and difficult to control.
This wind, fire and dust risk will reach a peak on Friday before easing back this weekend.
"Friday's wildfire risk covers a large part of the southern Rockies and High Plains and is forecast to reach extreme levels" from eastern New Mexico and northwestern Texas through central Oklahoma, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Joe Lundberg said. "This is about as an extreme event as there can be."
Due to the vast storm system late this week, the risk of wildfires will increase anywhere there is dry brush and gusty winds, from the Rockies to the Appalachians.
Extreme caution should be taken when using outdoor power equipment, open flames and outdoor grills. In some cases, the hot exhaust system can ignite the brush beneath vehicles. In windy conditions, brush can become dry enough to catch fire just a day or two after a soaking rain.
On Saturday, the risk of strong winds capable of triggering power outages and tree damage outside of severe thunderstorm activity will press eastward and northeastward.
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