Fire danger to increase Tuesday

Increasing southerly winds will result in warmer temperatures Tuesday, along with an increase in fire danger. Afternoon temperatures on Tuesday will top out near 60 degrees.

The winds will subside some by Wednesday as a weak surface trough pushes into the area before washing out.

The next storm system will affect the area from Wednesday night through Friday as it dives southeast, forming a closed low over southeast New Mexico or west Texas by Thursday morning. The strong upper system will then track to our south across Texas, although the exact path is still somewhat uncertain. Widespread showers will develop across our area by Thursday, with isolated thunderstorms possible in southeast Oklahoma and west central Arkansas.

Rain will end from west to east late Thursday night and Friday. At this time, thermal fields support all rain in our forecast area, but the eventual track of the upper low will be monitored as a northward shift in the track could result in a better chance of some wintry weather.

With no cold air source following this system, temperatures will rebound to above normal levels again this weekend into early next week.