The combination of an ongoing drought, near-record warmth and gusty winds will create a dangerous wildfire situation across part of the Southwestern and South Central states late this week.

In a region where high fire danger has been commonplace so far this year, the weather setup this week may prove to be the most volatile yet for wildfire ignition and growth.

A lack of rainfall since last fall has caused severe to extreme drought conditions to expand from Utah and Arizona to Kansas and West Texas.

Much of the Oklahoma Panhandle is under exceptional drought, which is the highest level of dryness on the scale, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

A storm poised to strengthen over the central U.S. later this week will cause southerly winds to howl and temperatures to soar to their highest levels so far this year over the drought-stricken areas.

Following breezy conditions at midweek, winds are projected to peak Thursday into Friday from the Four Corners states to the central and southern Plains. Gusts of 40-60 mph will be possible.

"This is likely to be in the top two wind events of the year for the region in terms of overall strength of the winds over such a broad area," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Ken Clark.

The risk of large fires that will be difficult to contain will be high in such conditions. Lives and property may be threatened.

“Any wildfire that ignites will be spread quickly through the dry brush by the wind, creating suddenly hazardous fire conditions,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Faith Eherts said.

People should avoid using outdoor power equipment and open flames due to the risk of sparks igniting a blaze.

Make sure cigarettes and matches are properly extinguished and discarded.

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The winds can kick up dust in the dry landscape which will cause times of reduced visibility and poor air quality during the latter portion of the week.

Motorists along portions of interstates 10, 17, 20, 25, 27, 35, 40, 70 and 80 will need to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel to stay in driving lanes.

Empty tractor-trailers may be at risk of flipping over.

The most significant hazard to motorists will be areas of blowing dust.

The strong winds sweeping in from the south will also result in high temperatures soaring up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above average, further heightening the fire danger, according to Eherts.

Some of the same areas that dealt with snow, ice and record cold to end last week will be basking under sunshine and temperatures in the 80s and 90s F by late this week.

The cities of Phoenix; Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Colorado; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Amarillo and Lubbock, Texas; and Dodge City, Kansas, will challenge record highs during one or more days this week.

Cooler air will rush in from west to east behind the storm and help to ease the wildfire danger by next weekend.

However, the cooldown will not come with a beneficial soaking rainfall.

Eherts anticipates that any downpours and severe weather triggered by the storm will occur to the east of the worst-hit drought areas.

Residents of the southern High Plains will have to prepare for more days with dangerous fire conditions as little to no wet weather is forecast through at least mid-April.

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