In an ironic twist, this winter storm is poised to bring about drier air, strong winds, and decreased humidity across the central and southern High Plains as well as portions of the Southwest. This will result in a heightened risk of extreme fire conditions for eastern New Mexico and western Texas on Tuesday and Wednesday. Furthermore, the storm is forecasted to usher in markedly elevated temperatures through midweek, exacerbating drought conditions in numerous regions.
A state of emergency has been declared in South Carolina following the outbreak of 163 wildfires as of Monday morning, prompting evacuations in some areas. Of particular concern is a fire in Horry County near Myrtle Beach, which has already scorched over 1,600 acres, equivalent to 2.5 square miles. Active fires are also reported in North Carolina and Georgia.
The high-pressure system responsible for fueling these fires is anticipated to shift offshore, making way for rainstorms on Tuesday and Wednesday. Meanwhile, the collision between the cold front associated with this week’s storm and warm air from the Gulf on Monday evening is expected to trigger severe thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and the potential for tornadoes across the southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley on Tuesday, as indicated by the weather service.
Localized flash flooding may arise in areas inundated by intense precipitation, with regions previously hit by heavy downpours like Ohio and Tennessee facing a heightened risk. The adverse weather conditions have the potential to create significant disruptions in travel, leading to widespread delays in flights and the possibility of ground stops, as cautioned by AccuWeather.
