Wildfire risk to flare up over southern, central Plains through Tuesday
The same storm set to trigger severe thunderstorms over the Mississippi Valley and snow over the northern tier states will bring a round of strong winds and high wildfire danger to the central and southern Plains through Tuesday.
As a storm moves east of the Rockies it will strengthen significantly.
As the storm strengthens, the circulation around it will increase and create a swath of high winds.
Frequent gusts between 40 and 60 mph are forecast over portions of the central and southern Plains. Gusts in some cases may approach 70 mph in parts of eastern Colorado and western Kansas.
The combination of ongoing drought, high winds, dry air and surging temperatures will lead to an elevated risk of wildfire ignition and spread from eastern New Mexico and northwestern Texas to Colorado, western Kansas and western Oklahoma.
Even as cooler air sweeps in during the day Tuesday, the strong winds and dry air will prevail.
"Because of the ongoing drought, there is a great deal more dead brush than normal across the region, which not only increases the risk of wildfires in general but also increases the risk of large wildfires," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Evan Duffey.
Control burns should not be conducted during these weather conditions.
People are strongly urged to use caution with outdoor power equipment, open flames or any device or object that can create sparks.
Extinguish burning cigarettes in an ashtray and do not toss outside of your vehicle.
Never park a vehicle over brush as the extreme temperature of the exhaust system can quickly ignite a blaze.
As the storm moves farther to the northeast, winds will ease during the middle of the week over the interior Southwest and Plains.
However, another bout of gusty winds and elevated wildfire risk may develop by this weekend as a new storm moves inland from the Pacific Ocean.
"Friday and Saturday may be very windy once again as no rainfall is in store through the period," Duffey said. "The greatest chance of wildfires to end this week will be in New Mexico and western Texas."
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