- A hot and dry pattern will prevail across much of the Southwest and Plains in the week ahead.
- Dry and windy conditions will increase the fire risk.
- A flash drought has developed in the Southern Plains.
- Drought is expected to intensify this summer.
Hot and dry conditions will prevail across the southwestern and central U.S. in the week ahead, increasing fire concerns and exacerbating a flash drought that has developed in parts of the Southern Plains.
The jet stream will bulge northward over the central U.S., which will keep the heat in place and limit precipitation from the Southwest into much of the Plains into next week.
Temperatures will be the most above-average in the Central and Northern Plains, while the Southern Plains and Southwest will experience highs near to slightly above average.
This translates into highs in the 80s and 90s in the Central and Northern Plains, which is 5-15 degrees above average.
Further south, temperatures will soar into the 90s and 100s in the Southern Plains and Southwest.
Forecast Highs
Fire Concerns
The heat will combine with an extended period of dry weather and gusty winds to increase the fire danger in portions of the West through this weekend.
Wind gusts over 40 mph are possible at times and relative humidity levels will remain very low, which are favorable conditions for fire growth and spread.
Red flag warnings and fire weather watches have been issued by the National Weather Service due to the expected conditions. When these alerts are issued it is important to avoid activities with open flames and that can create sparks.
Fire Alerts
(Issued by the National Weather Service.)Flash Drought Development and Drought Outlook
A flash drought has developed in the Southern Plains over the past few weeks and will likely persist or worsen into this summer.
Drought typically develops slowly, but flash droughts develop much faster. Flash droughts develop over a few weeks or few months, which leaves less time to prepare for potential impacts such as crop losses, reductions in water supply and increased wildfire risk.
A drought researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Jason Otkin, says he uses at least a two-category worsening in the U.S. Drought Monitor over a four-week period or a three-category intensification over an eight-week period as criteria for a flash drought.
Portions of the Texas Panhandle, eastern New Mexico and western Oklahoma have seen drought conditions worsen by two or three categories over the past month, meaning these locations have met the classification of a flash drought. These areas are now in severe and extreme drought, according to the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Drought comparison from May 12 to June 9, showing rapid drought growth in the highlighted area.
(Data from the U.S. Drought Monitor)The rapid growth of this drought is largely because of a dominant weather pattern featuring a ridge of high pressure, that has resulted in above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation in May. The dry streak began in April in the Four Corners region and much of the Southern Plains.
In early June, a strong upper-level ridge of high pressure developed over the Southwest and has expanded into the Plains.
As a result of this weather pattern, precipitation has been less than half of average for this time of year, which is typically a wet period for western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. In addition, winds have been strong which helps topsoils to dry out quickly and temperatures have been above average.
Relief from these conditions is not anticipated in the short term.
Little to no rainfall is forecast for the Four Corners and Southern Plains in the week ahead. However, NOAA's Climate Prediction Center increases the chance of precipitation in late June here.
Hot temperatures are also expected to prevail and gusty winds are likely at times in the week ahead.
Rainfall Outlook
There is some good news for some locations heading into the summer.
Drought is expected to be erased in parts of the Texas Panhandle, western Oklahoma and western Kansas during the summer.
However, much of the West will see drought conditions remain or develop. Hot and dry conditions will contribute to an above-average risk of wildfires over the next few months in many areas of the West, especially from the Four Corners region into parts of the Northwest.
Drought Outlook Through August
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
"Flash" - Google News
June 12, 2020 at 10:55PM
https://ift.tt/3e0AO7e
Drought and Fire Concerns Intensify as a Flash Drought Develops in Plains, Heat Builds in Southwestern, Central US - The Weather Channel
"Flash" - Google News
https://ift.tt/39L7UpV
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Drought and Fire Concerns Intensify as a Flash Drought Develops in Plains, Heat Builds in Southwestern, Central US - The Weather Channel"
Post a Comment