Wildfire Danger Returns to the Concho Valley Monday Afternoon

SAN ANGELO – There is a slight chance of severe thunderstorms across the Concho Valley Monday morning that will give way to extreme wildfire danger in the afternoon as the drought deepens the first week of spring. 

According to the National Weather Service office in San Angelo, strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Monday east of a San Angelo to Sonora line.  The main threat with these thunderstorms will be large hail, damaging winds, dangerous lightning and even a tornado.  

The chance of precipitation is 40 percent. 

The thunderstorm chances will give way to extreme wildfire danger as a dry line passes through the region Monday afternoon bringing blowing dust, high gusty winds and extremely dry conditions.  

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the area from noon to 8 p.m. Monday as southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph will gust to 40 mph with relative humidities between 12 and 20 percent.  All fuels are already tinder dry so any wind driven wildfire that does ignite will spread rapidly and threaten everything in its path.  Do not burn anything or engage in any activity that can produce a spark outdoors Monday. 

Out of control wildfires have devastated communities across west and central Texas over the last week.  

In addition, a Wind Advisory has been issued for the Concho Valley from 2 p.m. Monday to 7 p.m.  Those same gusty, strong southwest winds will blow around unsecured objects and could down tree limbs which could down power lines causing power outages.  

Look for temperatures to drop below seasonal levels throughout the first half of the week with warm, dry and windy conditions returning to West Texas by Friday.