WEATHER THURSDAY FEB 22 2024 Most of the nation with great weather!

Spring-like warmth east of the Rockies into late week...Spring-like warmth east of the Rockies into late week......Critical Fire Weather day over the Southern High Plains today; Elevatedfire weather conditions tomorrow......Showers and thunderstorms expected over the Missouri/Ohio Valleybeginning late tonight...Spring-like warmth remains the big weather story east of the Rockies aslee-side low pressure induces strong southerly flow into the Heartlandahead of a progressive upper-trough. A lack of substantial moisturefeeding into the developing system will make for a dry short-term forecastat least through the afternoon. While this warm and dry weather will makefor a pleasant afternoon for most, the pattern also supports Critical(level 2/3) fire weather conditions across the Southern High Plains todaywhen combined with gusty winds tied to an approaching Pacific cold front.Fire weather conditions will generally abate tomorrow as the low pressurearea pulls away, although Elevated (level 1/3) fire weather conditions canstill be expected over the Big Bend of Texas per the Storm PredictionCenter.Beginning overnight into tomorrow, expanding showers and thunderstorms areexpected over the Missouri/Ohio Valley as the upper-trough and cold frontsweep through, leading to locally heavy rainfall exceeding an inch.Accordingly, a Marginal Risk (level 1/4) of excessive rainfall is ineffect tomorrow over the Ohio Valley.