December 15-17 Conference CallFire Weather and Winter Weather

NWS Amarillo

TODAY

TODAY

Fire Weather Summary

• Critical fire weather conditions through 6 p.m.• Winds will shift to the north behind cold front– Excessive winds not anticipated with frontal passage

• Relative humidity values will climb above 15% this evening– Good relative humidity recovery anticipated

overnight with RHs >50-75%

December 16-17

Winter Weather

THURSDAY

THURSDAYAccumulations less than 1/2”

THURSDAY NIGHT

FRIDAY

Total Snowfall Accumulations

Winter Weather Summary• Much colder Thursday and especially Friday• Rain/snow mix begins Thursday AM in the

western Panhandles. Snow will spread east over the entire area by midnight.

• Heaviest snow late Thursday night into Friday morning.– Tapering off from W to E by afternoon.

• Accumulations generally between 1-3” with 2-4” possible in heavier snow bands

• Winds will be fairly light (N 10-15 mph)

Confidence• Timing - High (begins Thurs. AM and ends Fri.

afternoon)• Storm track – High• Winds – High (light winds expected)– Significant blowing snow not anticipated

• Snowfall amounts – Low– Due to location of heaviest band

Impacts

• Travel -- especially Friday for the morning commute– I-40 and Highways 60, 287, 54, and 385

• Possibility that roads refreeze Friday night

Questions?