NWS Seattle Briefings & Information

Heat the Southwest; Fire Weather in the Central U.S.; Kona Low Impacting Hawaii

A rare March heat wave is ongoing with much above-normal temperatures over the Southwest U.S. through this weekend. Periods of critical fire weather will persist from the central Rockies to the central and southern Plains through the weekend as gusty winds and low relative humidity continue. A Kona low will continue to bring several rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall to Hawaii through Sunday. Read More >

Weather Risk Outlook

The Weather Risk Outlook colors are determined after NWS Seattle meteorologists examine both the impact level of potential weather scenarios AND the associated probability of those scenarios. The resulting outlook displays the highest risk for each day.

NWS Seattle meteorologists first use the impact table to determine the level of impact expected with a forecast weather event.

NWS Seattle meteorologists then determine the color by determining the probability of occurrence using all the available information and then reference the matrix to determine the risk level associated with the forecast weather event.