Dry air, gusty winds trigger red flag warnings across the Plains: See Monday weather forecast
The National Weather Service has issued a critical risk of fire weather over parts of the Central and Southern High Plains on Monday, and an extreme risk of fire weather over the Southern High Plains Tuesday, after a weekend that saw dozens of tornadoes, wildfires and dust storms kill at least 37 people and topple hundreds of buildings.
Large portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa had red flag warnings in effect Monday morning. The weather service says red flag warnings "alert fire managers on federal lands to conditions that are highly unfavorable for prescribed burns and that may lead to especially dangerous wildfire growth."
The NWS office in Fort Worth/Dallas said Monday critical fire conditions will exist across western North and Central Texas Monday afternoon and evening due to critical fire weather conditions existing west of I-35.
"Very low humidity and gusty winds of 30 to 35 mph will make any fires that start difficult to control," the weather service said, advising residents in the area to avoid outdoor burning and parking or driving over tall grass.
The NWS in Des Moines says the combination of warm temperatures, low humidity, gusty winds and dry or dormant vegetation will result in critical fire weather conditions Monday. In Omaha, Nebraska, a red flag warning is in effect from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for much of the state.
"Fires could start and spread very quickly. Rural fire departments should be on alert," the NWS in Omaha said Monday.
Rain, light snow coming to Northeast, Central Appalachians in coming days
Additionally, the weather service said a front extending from the Northeast to the mid-Atlantic coast will move off the East Coast by early Tuesday.
The boundary is expected to bring rain from the Northeast to the southern mid-Atlantic Coast by Monday evening, and the Northeast by Tuesday evening, according to the NWS.
Light snow is also expected to fall over the Lower Great Lakes and Central Appalachians through late Monday afternoon, with light snow also developing over parts of northern New England from Monday evening into Tuesday morning.
Light to moderate snow is also expected to develop over parts of the Northern Rockies, Northern Plains, and Upper Mississippi Valley on Monday before moving into the North and Central High Plains by Tuesday evening, the weather service said.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at Paste BN. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.