Heavy rain and flooding in southeastern Utah and the Four Corners area has produced a side benefit: A substantial rise in Lake Powell's water level.

Heavy rain and flooding in southeastern Utah and the Four Corners area has produced a side benefit: A substantial rise in Lake Powell's water level.

We are between systems this afternoon, as a quick-moving upper-level low brings rain chances to our far southeastern areas, while rain and snow chances

Heavy rain and flooding in southeastern Utah and the Four Corners area has produced a side benefit: A substantial rise in Lake Powell's water level.

Heavy rain and flooding in southeastern Utah and the Four Corners area has produced a side benefit: A substantial rise in Lake Powell's water level.

Many of us have enjoyed warm temperatures and sunshine this afternoon. However, with strong upper-level energy in place, abundant moisture, and

SPC Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1116 AM CDT Fri Oct 23 2026 Valid 231700Z - 241200Z ...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER AREA FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST WYOMING...FAR SOUTHEASTERN MONTANA...AND FAR WESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA... Elevated to Critical fire weather conditions are still expected across portions of the northern High Plains today. An upper-level trough across the West and associated 50-60 knot mid-level jet will contribute to increasing southwesterly flow across the northern/central High Plains. The accelerating southwesterly flow aloft along with a robust surface low over eastern Montana will contribute to southwest winds of 15-25 mph across northeastern WY, southeastern MT and adjacent bordering ND/SD areas through the afternoon. These winds combined with RH reductions of around 20% will present an elevated fire weather concern today amid sufficiently dry fuels. These southwest flow trajectories will promote further downslope warming and drying, rapidly eroding a shallow temperature inversion under mostly clear skies through early afternoon. Wind gusts of 60 mph have already been observed in the Big Horn Basin with wind gusts in the 40-45 mph range in the leeward slopes of the Big Horn Range in central/northeastern WY. A corridor of stronger southwest winds ranging from 25-35 mph with gusts near 50 mph will promote a critical fire weather threat for far northeastern WY, extreme southeastern MT and far northwestern SD. A minor expansion of elevated highlights were warranted based on current surface observation trends and an expected delay in cold front passage until later this evening. ..Williams.. 10/23/2026 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0145 AM CDT Fri Oct 23 2026/ ...Synopsis... Upper-level troughing across the Southwest will lift north into the Intermountain West today, with a belt of enhanced west to southwesterly flow overspreading the northern/central Rockies. A surface low will deepen across Montana, with increasing southwesterly surface gradients resulting in strengthening surface southwesterly flow ahead of an approaching cold front. Elevated to Critical fire weather conditions will be likely ahead of the front for portions of the Northern High Plains. ...Northern High Plains... The strengthening of the surface winds in combination with downslope warming/drying will result in a period of Elevated to Critical fire weather conditions across portions of northeastern WY, southeastern MT, and western SD. Within these regions, afternoon relative humidity reductions to around 15-25% will overlap with sustained southwesterly winds at 20-30 mph. Additionally, above normal temperatures in the 60s and lower 70s F are forecast. A Critical delineation was maintained across portions of northeastern WY, southeastern MT, and western SD where ensemble guidance continues to show highest probabilities of sustained critical fire weather conditions amid drying fuels (70-75th percentile ERCs). Broader Elevated fire weather is expected from north-central Wyoming into the Dakotas. ...Georgia... Dry northeasterly flow is expected across portions of southern Georgia this afternoon. Though wind speeds are likely to remain below elevated thresholds, increased initial attack activity associated with existing dry fuels will remain a concern. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more