Elevated fire danger through the weekend
AM Headlines:
- Elevated Fire Danger through the weekend
- Warming Trend Peaks Sunday
- Cold Front Brings Light Rain Monday
- Fire Danger Returns Midweek
Discussion:
The big weather story for today and the weekend is elevated fire danger across the region. Dry air is already settling in this morning behind yesterday’s cold front, and humidity levels will continue to drop below 20% this afternoon. While winds won’t be as strong today, the dry conditions and lingering breeze is enough for a fire danger statement across most of the region. Highs will top out in the mid 60s with lows falling into the low 40s.
Saturday is shaping up to be the most critical fire weather day. Temperatures will warm into the mid 70s during the afternoon. Another push of dry air arrives with stronger winds mixing down in the afternoon. Gusts of 20-30 mph, combined with relative humidity levels as low as 15-20% will create conditions near Red Flag Warning criteria. Outdoor burning should be avoided. Sunday stays warm with highs reaching the mid to upper 70s with continued fire concerns as highs.
Our next rain chance comes Monday with a weak cold front. Timing is still a bit uncertain, but rainfall looks light with totals not helping much with the ongoing drought. A stray rumble of thunder is possible south and east of Charlotte, but most of us just get a passing shower. Unfortunately, this means the front won’t do much for the dry pattern, and fire weather concerns will return Tuesday as dry air settles back in.
