Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 409 PM EDT Mon Mar 10 2025 Valid 00Z Tue Mar 11 2025 - 00Z Thu Mar 13 2025 ...Widespread record high temperatures possible across portions of the Upper Midwest and Northern/Central Plains... ...Critical Fire Weather Risk over parts of the Northern Plains today then Southern High Plains through the rest of the week... Scattered showers and thunderstorms persist this afternoon across portions of the Southeast and Florida peninsula as a low pressure system tracks further offshore. Meanwhile over the Northern Plains strong, gusty winds associated with a potent low pressure system and cold front dropping south are increasing the risk for the development and spreading of wildfires. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted an area from eastern Montana/Wyoming to the western Minnesota border with critical fire weather conditions. Ahead of this system, warm southerly flow will support anomalously high maximum temperatures in the 50s and 60s with some isolated areas possibly exceeding 70 degrees. These anomalous maximum temperatures will represent 20-40 degree departures from average for much of the Northern/Central Plains and Upper Midwest, where widespread records may be tied or broken. Dry downslope flow can be expected Tuesday from the Southern Rockies to the Southern High Plains as an upper trough moves through the Southwest. These dry gusty winds (15 to 25 mph) will support Critical Risk for fire weather conditions for southeast Arizona, southern New Mexico and far western Texas. Fire danger will likely remain elevated for this region for the remainder of the week. An amplified upper trough will bring unsettled weather to the West Coast Tuesday night into Wednesday. Campbell/Kebede Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php