SPC Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0124 AM CST Fri Feb 21 2025 Valid 211200Z - 221200Z ...NO CRITICAL AREAS... ...Synopsis... With much of the U.S. predominantly experiencing strong surface high pressure, colder temperatures, and weaker surface winds, any fire-weather concerns will remain low throughout the day, despite some of the Southern Plains and Southeastern U.S. experiencing dry conditions. ..Halbert.. 02/21/2025 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

SPC 0700Z Day 2 Outlook
Day 2 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1228 AM CST Fri Feb 21 2025 Valid 221200Z - 231200Z ...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... Scattered thunderstorms are possible from the middle and upper Texas Coast toward the Sabine Valley Saturday evening into early Sunday. At least some risk of hail may eventually develop. ...Synopsis... Northwest flow with multiple mid-level shortwave troughs will be present across the CONUS on Saturday. One of these troughs will advance from the Southwest into the southern Plains. Low-level flow will strengthen across the western Gulf with increasing moisture and strengthening isentropic ascent. ...Southeast Texas and southern Louisiana... An increase in convection is expected along the Gulf Coast during the day Saturday and particularly into Saturday night. MUCAPE around 500 J/kg and effective shear around 30-35 knots may result in a few stronger storms. CAPE heavily concentrated within the hail growth zone and a cool boundary layer will support the potential for some hail, but somewhat limited instability may limit the updraft acceleration needed for larger (1.00") hail. If greater instability appears more likely, a Marginal Risk may eventually be needed from southeast Texas and into coastal Louisiana. ..Bentley.. 02/21/2025 Read more

SPC 1200Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1033 PM CST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 211200Z - 221200Z ...NO THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... The risk for thunderstorms appears negligible across the U.S. today through tonight. ...Discussion... Seasonably cold and/or stable conditions remain prevalent across the U.S., and models indicate little change through this period. Deeper mid-level troughing is forecast to continue to progress away from the north Atlantic Seaboard, leaving split westerlies in its wake, downstream of large-scale mid-level ridging building inland of the Pacific coast through the Canadian Prairies and northern U.S. Great Plains. Within this regime, one short wave perturbation, emerging from the Great Basin, is forecast to accelerate east of the southern Rockies, toward the Mid South vicinity, while another digs through the Four Corners states. The lead impulse will spread across the slowly modifying remnants of expansive, seasonably cold surface ridging initially encompassing much of the nation east of the Rockies, as well as much of the Gulf Basin. Downstream of the trailing impulse, it appears that a developing southerly return flow will contribute to moistening off a modifying southwestern Gulf boundary layer. Across the northwestern Gulf and inland of coastal areas, it appears that the moisture return will be elevated above a substantial cold surface-based layer, and beneath relatively warm and capping layers further aloft. ..Kerr/Halbert.. 02/21/2025 Read more

SPC 1200Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1033 PM CST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 211200Z - 221200Z ...NO THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... The risk for thunderstorms appears negligible across the U.S. today through tonight. ...Discussion... Seasonably cold and/or stable conditions remain prevalent across the U.S., and models indicate little change through this period. Deeper mid-level troughing is forecast to continue to progress away from the north Atlantic Seaboard, leaving split westerlies in its wake, downstream of large-scale mid-level ridging building inland of the Pacific coast through the Canadian Prairies and northern U.S. Great Plains. Within this regime, one short wave perturbation, emerging from the Great Basin, is forecast to accelerate east of the southern Rockies, toward the Mid South vicinity, while another digs through the Four Corners states. The lead impulse will spread across the slowly modifying remnants of expansive, seasonably cold surface ridging initially encompassing much of the nation east of the Rockies, as well as much of the Gulf Basin. Downstream of the trailing impulse, it appears that a developing southerly return flow will contribute to moistening off a modifying southwestern Gulf boundary layer. Across the northwestern Gulf and inland of coastal areas, it appears that the moisture return will be elevated above a substantial cold surface-based layer, and beneath relatively warm and capping layers further aloft. ..Kerr/Halbert.. 02/21/2025 Read more

SPC 0100Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0631 PM CST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 210100Z - 211200Z ...NO THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... The risk for thunderstorms appears negligible across the U.S tonight. ...01Z Update... Weak boundary-layer destabilization has occurred beneath the mid-level cold core (including 500 mb temps of -24 to -26 C) now overspreading southeastern Utah/western Colorado and adjacent portions of northern Arizona/New Mexico. Although forecast soundings (and the recent Grand Junction raob) appear marginally conducive to convection capable of producing lightning, there has been none evident in lightning detection to this point. With the onset of boundary-layer cooling to the west of the Continental Divide during the next couple of hours, and the gradual eastward advection of the cold core above a cold/stable low-level environment to the east of the Divide this evening/overnight, any potential for lightning that currently exists should become more negligible. ..Kerr.. 02/21/2025 Read more

SPC 0100Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0631 PM CST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 210100Z - 211200Z ...NO THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... The risk for thunderstorms appears negligible across the U.S tonight. ...01Z Update... Weak boundary-layer destabilization has occurred beneath the mid-level cold core (including 500 mb temps of -24 to -26 C) now overspreading southeastern Utah/western Colorado and adjacent portions of northern Arizona/New Mexico. Although forecast soundings (and the recent Grand Junction raob) appear marginally conducive to convection capable of producing lightning, there has been none evident in lightning detection to this point. With the onset of boundary-layer cooling to the west of the Continental Divide during the next couple of hours, and the gradual eastward advection of the cold core above a cold/stable low-level environment to the east of the Divide this evening/overnight, any potential for lightning that currently exists should become more negligible. ..Kerr.. 02/21/2025 Read more

SPC Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0304 PM CST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 221200Z - 281200Z Critical fire weather potential is expected to remain low across the CONUS through the middle of next week as a large area of surface high pressure remains entrenched over the central U.S. through this weekend. Critical fire weather concerns may eventually emerge over the Plains by Day 7/Wednesday as a lee surface low deepens. However, poor run-to-run model consistency and associated uncertainty regarding the timing/location of key features at this longer time range precludes introducing Critical probabilities at this time. ..Elliott.. 02/20/2025 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

SPC Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 3-8 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0304 PM CST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 221200Z - 281200Z Critical fire weather potential is expected to remain low across the CONUS through the middle of next week as a large area of surface high pressure remains entrenched over the central U.S. through this weekend. Critical fire weather concerns may eventually emerge over the Plains by Day 7/Wednesday as a lee surface low deepens. However, poor run-to-run model consistency and associated uncertainty regarding the timing/location of key features at this longer time range precludes introducing Critical probabilities at this time. ..Elliott.. 02/20/2025 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

No watches are valid as of Thu Feb 20 21:10:01 UTC 2025.

No Mesoscale Discussions are in effect as of Thu Feb 20 21:10:01 UTC 2025.

SPC 1930Z Day 3 Outlook
Day 3 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0116 PM CST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 221200Z - 231200Z ...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... Scattered thunderstorms are possible from the middle and upper Texas Coast toward the Sabine Valley Saturday evening into early Sunday. At least some risk of hail may eventually develop. ...Synopsis... A general northwest flow regime will remain from the northern Plains into the Mid Atlantic, with a southern-stream westerly flow regime from the southern Plains into the Southeast. A compact upper low is forecast to move from AZ/NM across the southern Plains, providing cooling aloft. Ahead of this feature, southerly winds around 850 mb will bring moisture northward in an elevated sense, while the surface air mass remains cool/stable over land due to high pressure over the Southeast. As the upper feature interacts with the midlevel moisture plume from the western Gulf into the Sabine and lower MS Valleys, elevated MUCAPE over 500 J/kg may develop, supporting scattered thunderstorms. Forecast soundings reveal steep lapse rates above 600 mb, with enough effective shear to sustain a few strong storms. Given cold boundary-layer temperatures, at least small hail appears likely. Isolated hail over 1.00" cannot be ruled out, though confidence is not great enough to introduce a risk area this far out for this type of regime. ..Jewell.. 02/20/2025 Read more

SPC 2000Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0100 PM CST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 202000Z - 211200Z ...NO THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... Thunderstorms are not forecast through tonight across the contiguous United States. ...20Z Update... The previous forecast (see below) remains on track. ..Squitieri.. 02/20/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 1000 AM CST Thu Feb 20 2025/ ...Synopsis... A large area of surface high pressure resides over the central and eastern United States and is currently centered over the central Great Plains. Dry/cold offshore flow into the Gulf and Atlantic will maintain an airmass hostile to thunderstorm development. Read more

SPC Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 2 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1216 PM CST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 211200Z - 221200Z ...NO CRITICAL AREAS... Fire weather conditions are expected to remain low across the CONUS tomorrow (Day 2/Friday). Please see the previous discussion below for more information. ..Elliott.. 02/20/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0150 AM CST Thu Feb 20 2025/ ...Synopsis... Fire weather concerns are expected to remain low on D2 - Friday. An upper-level trough will eject out of the southwest into the central Plains, bringing a return to lighter winds across Arizona and New Mexico. Across the Plains, southerly winds will increase with warming temperatures as the arctic air mass begins to shift out. Overall, lighter winds across the southwest and continued cool and wet conditions across the high Plains will aid in keeping fire weather concerns low where conditions are the driest. ...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 1216 PM CST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 211200Z - 221200Z ...NO CRITICAL AREAS... Fire weather conditions are expected to remain low across the CONUS tomorrow (Day 2/Friday). Please see the previous discussion below for more information. ..Elliott.. 02/20/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0150 AM CST Thu Feb 20 2025/ ...Synopsis... Fire weather concerns are expected to remain low on D2 - Friday. An upper-level trough will eject out of the southwest into the central Plains, bringing a return to lighter winds across Arizona and New Mexico. Across the Plains, southerly winds will increase with warming temperatures as the arctic air mass begins to shift out. Overall, lighter winds across the southwest and continued cool and wet conditions across the high Plains will aid in keeping fire weather concerns low where conditions are the driest. ...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 1048 AM CST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 201700Z - 211200Z Today's fire weather forecast remains on track. Please see the previous discussion below for more information. ..Elliott.. 02/20/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0148 AM CST Thu Feb 20 2025/ ...Synopsis... An upper low will move across the southwest, bringing enhanced westerly flow aloft across portions of northern Arizona into northern/central New Mexico. This will result in increasing south to southwesterly surface winds with sustained winds around 15-20 mph overlapping relative humidity around 15-20 percent. A small Elevated delineation was maintained to cover the potential for drying of fine fuels amid windy/dry conditions. ...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 1048 AM CST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 201700Z - 211200Z Today's fire weather forecast remains on track. Please see the previous discussion below for more information. ..Elliott.. 02/20/2025 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0148 AM CST Thu Feb 20 2025/ ...Synopsis... An upper low will move across the southwest, bringing enhanced westerly flow aloft across portions of northern Arizona into northern/central New Mexico. This will result in increasing south to southwesterly surface winds with sustained winds around 15-20 mph overlapping relative humidity around 15-20 percent. A small Elevated delineation was maintained to cover the potential for drying of fine fuels amid windy/dry conditions. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

SPC 1730Z Day 2 Outlook
Day 2 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1048 AM CST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 211200Z - 221200Z ...NO THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... Thunderstorms are not expected on Friday. ...Synopsis... High pressure over much of the CONUS will continue to provide stable conditions in terms of thunderstorm potential. Winds along the Gulf Coast will gradually veer to easterly as the centroid of the primary high moves across the lower MO and OH Valley, with a moist plume approaching the south TX Coast by early Saturday. Despite some theta-e advection atop the surface stable layer, overall threat of elevated thunderstorms appears low given minimal upper support. ..Jewell.. 02/20/2025 Read more

SPC 1730Z Day 2 Outlook
Day 2 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1048 AM CST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 211200Z - 221200Z ...NO THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... Thunderstorms are not expected on Friday. ...Synopsis... High pressure over much of the CONUS will continue to provide stable conditions in terms of thunderstorm potential. Winds along the Gulf Coast will gradually veer to easterly as the centroid of the primary high moves across the lower MO and OH Valley, with a moist plume approaching the south TX Coast by early Saturday. Despite some theta-e advection atop the surface stable layer, overall threat of elevated thunderstorms appears low given minimal upper support. ..Jewell.. 02/20/2025 Read more

SPC 1630Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1000 AM CST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 201630Z - 211200Z ...NO THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... Thunderstorms are not forecast through tonight across the contiguous United States. ...Synopsis... A large area of surface high pressure resides over the central and eastern United States and is currently centered over the central Great Plains. Dry/cold offshore flow into the Gulf and Atlantic will maintain an airmass hostile to thunderstorm development. ..Smith/Lyons.. 02/20/2025 Read more

SPC 1300Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0616 AM CST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 201300Z - 211200Z ...NO THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... Thunderstorms are not expected through tonight. ...Synopsis and Discussion... Surface high pressure will remain over much of the central CONUS today, as a cold front clears south FL and the Keys. Dry and/or stable conditions will prevail for a large majority of the CONUS, with minimal thunderstorm potential. One possible exception may be across parts of the central Rockies as a shortwave trough moves over this region through the afternoon. Still, with limited moisture present, overall thunderstorm potential should remain less than 10 percent across this region. ..Gleason/Dean.. 02/20/2025 Read more