Summer heat fuels wildfires while monsoons trigger severe flood threats as weather whiplash plagues the West
As summer continues, the season brings a tale of two extremes: scorching heat fuels fire conditions, while a flood threat intensifies across portions of the Western U.S.
As summer continues, the season brings a tale of two extremes: scorching heat fuels fire conditions, while a flood threat intensifies across portions of the Western U.S.
As a surge of moisture from monsoon storms brings a flash flood threat to the Southwest, the Pacific Northwest is bracing for an explosion of wildfires driven by dry, hot conditions.
In the Pacific Northwest and Northern Great Basin, hot temperatures and gusty winds are setting the stage for extreme fire conditions across the region.
This comes as the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) issued a maxed-out level 5/5 preparedness level to help ensure enough crews, aircraft, and equipment are available for new incidents across the region.
According to the NIFC, 52 large wildfires are actively burning across the Northwest on Sunday, having collectively scorched more than 1.13 million acres, with more than 80% of the fires occurring in Oregon. Fire officials also reported 15 new fire starts and five new large incidents over the past 24 hours.
Thousands of firefighters and other first responders have been deployed across to combat the spread of the flames.
In light of the growing threat, the Severe Storm Prediction Center has issued a Critical Fire Weather outlook across the region.
"The severe fire threat is driven by gusty winds and dry air as well as dry thunderstorms," said the FOX Forecast Center. "Dry thunderstorms produce lightning but little to no rain, as the precipitation evaporates before reaching the ground. This acts as a primary ignition source for new wildfires."
This will undoubtedly affect air quality in major cities across Oregon, Washington, Montana, and as far east as North Dakota.
Millions of Americans in the Southwest are experiencing the opposite conditions, as a surge of moisture combined with daytime heating will fuel afternoon thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
This comes as the Weather Prediction Center highlights portions of New Mexico, Colorado, and the broader Four Corners region for an elevated flood flash flood risk.
As a result, a level 1/4 Flash Flood Threat and Watch is in place across portions of Central New Mexico and Eastern Arizona.
Dry conditions along wildfire burn scars put areas at high risk of flooding, as charred soil is unable to absorb water. Intense rainfall can cause flooding in low-lying areas within just six hours.
Flooding may trigger mudslides and debris flows due to persistent wet weather.
Be sure to monitor your local area for severe weather updates this weekend, as persistent summer heat combined with a surge in moisture can result in nasty weather.
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