Weekly weather look: fire conditions give way to possible snow

By ADIA REYNOLDS

Tiger Media Network

Weather in Hays this week will be subject to significant fluctuations. Monday and Tuesday continue to hold the risk of fire warnings, while Wednesday will bring chances of snow. 

“An upper-level ridge of high pressure is moving east, which causes air to move downslope and increase in temperature,” said Dodge City National Weather Service Meteorologist Jonathan Finch. 

Fluctuating weather conditions are normal during early spring in Kansas, according to Finch. This reflects similar conditions as last week where residents of the Northwest Kansas region should keep an eye on the skies and forecasting conditions as they develop.

“This time of year is peak fire weather conditions, though we’re not forecasting anything critical,” Finch said. “When the wind moves downslope, it dries everything out. This time of year, dead or dormant vegetation can catch more easily.”

Wednesday has a notable chance of precipitation.

“There’s a good chance we’ll get something, it’s just hard to say how much,” Finch said. 

Weekly Look Ahead:

  • Monday: HI 82 / LO 48 with a real feel of 79
    • Wind Speed: 10-20 mph
    • Fire Weather Watch
  • Tuesday: HI 79 / LO 29 with a real feel of 79
    • Wind Speed: 15-25 mph, though winds could spike to up to 40mph
    • Fire Weather Watch
  • Wednesday: HI 50 / LO 24 with a real feel of 79
    • Wind Speed: 25-35 mph
    • 61% chance of precipitation
  • Thursday: HI 63 / LO 42 with  a real feel of 36
    • Wind Speed: 10-20 mph
  • Friday: HI 64 / LO 33 with a real feel of 57
    • Wind Speed: 20-30 mph
  • Saturday: HI 67 / LO 39 with a real feel of 57
    • Wind Speed: 10-20 mph
  • Sunday: HI 62 / LO 39 with a real feel of 63
    • Wind Speed: 15-25 mph

More information can be found via the National Weather Service.