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Front Range, Plains - Dry, gusty winds pose fire risk

04:22 PM
February 17, 2026

Front Range, Plains
Dry, gusty winds pose fire risk

Gusts up to 45 mph and low humidity values from western Nebraska southward through the southern Plains are setting the stage for dangerous fire weather conditions on Tuesday.

As a strong storm system swings north into the northern Plains and Upper Midwest throughout the day, its southern flank, dragging a potent cold front, is triggering dry, gusty winds. Warm, southwesterly flow will bring temperatures into the 70s and 80s as far north as North Platte and Grand Island, Neb., ahead of the cold front.

The combination of warm temperatures and the dry, gusty winds topping 45 mph for many from the Front Range to Texas could help any sparks quickly become fast-spreading wildfires. The largest potential for this lies in northeast Colorado through western Nebraska and northwestern Kansas.

All about the WindRadarread more

Watch these gusts on the WindRadar and view your humidity values in the hourly forecast, right on the app.

Becca Parker
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