Morning surface observations showed poor overnight humidity recoveries persisting across much of central into eastern NM and the southern High Plains.
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Widespread single digit RH values along with wind gusts of 30+ mph already ongoing should continue to grow in coverage across the region as strong upper level flow overspreads the Southwest.
Fuels remain very volatile and widespread extremely critical fire weather conditions are expected to develop and persists through much of the day today into overnight Monday.
The Extremely Critical area remains unchanged with only minor adjustments to the eastern extent of the Elevated/Critical zones where cooler and more moist conditions are being observed near a cold front across northwestern OK.
Warm and dry surface conditions may develop for a few hours today across the central FL Peninsula.
Area RAP soundings show humidity values in the 25-35% range may briefly overlap with wind gusts of 10-15 mph this afternoon.
While fuels will be somewhat tempered by recent precipitation, they remain dry enough to support some locally elevated/critical fire weather potential.
arm and dry surface conditions may develop for a few hours today across the central FL Peninsula.
Area RAP soundings show humidity values in the 25-35% range may briefly overlap with wind gusts of 10-15 mph this afternoon.
While fuels will be somewhat tempered by recent precipitation, they remain dry enough to support some locally elevated/critical fire weather potential.
Significant wildfire-spread concerns are expected across portions of the Southern High Plains today.
An 80+ kt mid-level jet streak will impinge on the southern Rockies as a broad mid-level trough continues to amplify across the western/central U.S.
Rapid surface-low intensification is also expected to occur across the central High Plains.
Strong gradient flow from the intensifying surface cyclone, and downward momentum transport of the stronger flow aloft via a well-mixed boundary layer, will both promote very windy, dry surface conditions conducive to dangerous wildfire spread.
As the boundary layer mixes through the afternoon, widespread 25+ mph sustained west-southwesterly winds will develop as RH dips below 15 percent on a widespread basis.
Widespread Elevated to Critical fire weather conditions are expected to overspread much of the Southwest into the southern High Plains.
However, a corridor exists across much of central/eastern New Mexico into southeast Colorado and the western Texas Panhandle where 25+ mph sustained winds (with higher gusts) will overlap with single-digit RH and anomalously dry fuels for at least a few hours this afternoon.
These dangerous conditions will support very rapid wildfire spread with any new starts and exacerbate existing fires, perhaps supporting extreme fire behavior, warranting the expansion of Extremely Critical highlights across the southern High Plains. ■