An Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) for scattered severe thunderstorms has been outlooked across the Ohio Valley today. Tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds possible. Farther west on the back side of the storm system driving the severe thunderstorms, strong winds and critical fire weather will affect the High Plains and parts of the Rockies through midweek, along with heavy snow in the high Rockies. Read More >
What is the WFO FWD Fire Weather Threat Index?
The National Weather Service (identifier FWD) in Fort Worth has developed an index to assess the fire weather threat across north Texas. The FWD Fire Weather Threat Index that you see on the WFO Fort Worth fire weather pages is a locally-developed scaled value derived from relative humidity, wind speed, and fuel factor.
The values of the index range from 1 (minimal threat) to 100 (highest threat). Theoretically, values should be near 1 when winds are light, relative humidities are over 90%, and fine fuels (typically grasses) are either green or moist from recent rains.
On the other extreme, values should be near 100 (highest threat) during dry periods in the fall and winter when sustained winds are at least 20 mph and relative humidity values are less than 35%. Recent rainfall and/or substantial green vegetation could make the FWD Fire Threat Index much lower, even with low humidities and strong winds.
Fire Weather Threat Values of FWD Fire Weather Threat Index
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LOW |
MODERATE |
HIGH |
VERY HIGH |
EXTREME |
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