Powerful storm sparks wildfire outbreak across southern U.S. Plains
Extremely favourable conditions for wildfires will continue across the region for the next several days
Just as a severe weather outbreak begins south of the border, forecasters warned that conditions were favourable Friday for a ‘wildfire outbreak’ to take place across portions of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
Multiple fires were raging as of Friday afternoon as wind gusts in excess of 100 km/h swept across the region.
DON’T MISS: Rare ‘high risk’ severe storm outbreak could fuel intense twisters
Friday’s wildfire threat is part of the same low-pressure system responsible for sparking a high-risk, multi-day severe weather outbreak across the U.S. This storm will eventually push into Canada with a risk for snow, heavy rain, and even some thunderstorms.
The U.S. Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issued a rare extremely critical risk for fire weather on Friday.
“A wildfire outbreak appears likely today across the southern Plains as extremely critical fire weather conditions spread from the [Texas] Panhandle and Rolling Hills Country into much of [Oklahoma] and southeast [Kansas],” the agency said.
Fire weather conditions involve a combination of very strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation, all lasting for at least three hours or longer.
It’s easy to spot the powerful winds on satellite imagery today. The low, centred over southern Kansas, whipped up winds of 100-120 km/h across northern Texas and Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Mesonet reported a wind gust of about 117 km/h in the town of Butler on Friday afternoon.
These winds carried vast plumes of dust from the Texas Panhandle, which were visible from space.
Satellite can also detect ‘hot spots’ on the ground to help meteorologists and emergency officials keep track of ongoing wildfires. Imagery of the southern Plains on Friday detected dozens of wildfires burning throughout Texas and Oklahoma.
The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) issued multiple fire warnings across central and northern Oklahoma, along with evacuation orders for communities near Oklahoma City.
"As many as 4 dangerous wildfires are occurring in east Norman near Lake Thunderbird. If you live near 108th and Tecumseh or anywhere within 4 miles north and 4 miles east of there, EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY," NWS Norman said on Friday afternoon.
The risk for wildfires will continue over the region well into next week, which could exacerbate ongoing blazes and help to spark additional fires.