Americans marvel at warm weather in the dead of winter, with early wildfire outbreaks in the plains

North America 2-26-24 temperature anomaly.

It was 68 F in my neck of the woods. Can anyone top that?

The wildfires

h/t to The Hotshot Wake Up for the videos

About 1/3 of the nation is under Red Flag Warnings today for increased potential for wildfire… 👀 #weather

Me on the podcast a month ago… “the middle of the country is gunna be busy.”

Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Missouri, Illinois,and… pic.twitter.com/iCqSn7zGjH

— The Hotshot Wake Up (@HotshotWake) February 26, 2024

A wildfire in the Texas Panhandle scorched over 4,000 acres before being contained.

Dry, windy conditions today elevate the fire risk across the central U.S. from Texas to Iowa. pic.twitter.com/RDGn5YmADQ

— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) February 26, 2024

The fire outside Amarillo, Texas has jumped Highway 273… the last major road to try and catch it.

“She gone”

Wind gusts over 50mph.#wildfire #txwx #txfire #earth #weather pic.twitter.com/z5EzH1mslR

— The Hotshot Wake Up (@HotshotWake) February 26, 2024

Insane fire behavior south of Lefors Tx right now as fire lines are not holding. The fire fighter on the road grader has some steel under him!! #txwx #fire pic.twitter.com/R9vu8iMlKG

— Blake Brown (@BlakeBrownWx) February 26, 2024

A view of the Nebraska wildfire chunking outside North Platte.

This thing is thousands of acres it looks like.

There is also a fire under the weather observation tower….#NEfire #earth pic.twitter.com/Yn7SaDy9pa

— The Hotshot Wake Up (@HotshotWake) February 26, 2024

Mississippi: The Jefferson Davis County Fire is over 1,360 acres and has been burning since Saturday.

Firefighters have reached 50% containment in the fire.

I love that sound….#wildfire #msfire #mswx #weather
pic.twitter.com/fIdwcE3E9a

— The Hotshot Wake Up (@HotshotWake) February 26, 2024

It is very dry in Northern Minnesota…#mnfire #mnwx #earth pic.twitter.com/vSkAyus2qj

— The Hotshot Wake Up (@HotshotWake) February 26, 2024

Lots happening down in the Mark Twain National Forest. Folks from Helena and Lewis & Clark Hotshots are down there helping the Mark Twain Veterans crew. Some burns and some IAs already. #wildfire #mofire #mowx
Mark Twain Veteran Crew working the Range Complex RX at Fort Leonard… pic.twitter.com/fRKlehJm0y

— The Hotshot Wake Up (@HotshotWake) February 26, 2024

Aerial footage of The Air Force Fire in Colorado yesterday.

It is 20% contained this morning and a little over 160 acres. #wildfire #coloradosprings #cowx #cofire
pic.twitter.com/MZ0PuRiHaZ

— The Hotshot Wake Up (@HotshotWake) February 26, 2024

In 2023, Lahaina was incinerated by invasive grasses, wind, heat and drought. You don’t need to be in a forest fire to have a bad day.

The Weather

Today's forecast high temperatures in Texas. Seems warm for February. pic.twitter.com/WxJts4t2i9

— Brian Brettschneider (@Climatologist49) February 26, 2024

Unseasonable and record warmth is in the forecast today and tomorrow for the central U.S. with temperatures up to 40 degrees above normal possible. After a brief cooldown midweek, the warmth returns as we head into the weekend.https://t.co/VyWINDk3xP pic.twitter.com/kWTJW3cAhf

— National Weather Service (@NWS) February 26, 2024

A strong storm with high winds and heavy snow is expected from Thursday - Saturday. 4-8 feet of snow is possible on the mountains with snow to lake level. Possibly the biggest 3-day totals since March 2020, which we couldn't ski due to Covid lockdowns...https://t.co/CUswRtrOu4

— Tahoe Daily Snow (@TahoeWeather) February 26, 2024

Climate change will be an issue in the 2024 election; you can count on it. The GQP is swarming with deniers. Let’s make them pay.

In the Southern Appalachians, we will cool down in the next couple of days with heavy rain. Temperatures will be back to normal until Saturday when temperatures spike again. What’s it like in your neck of the woods?