UPDATE: The warnings have been updated and added to. Please see below.
Red flag warnings and high wind warnings have been issued for counties in our area.
Red flag warnings
A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wichita.
NWS in Wichita has issued a red flag warning for extreme grassland fire danger in effect from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday for the following counties in our area.
Ellsworth County
Lincoln County
McPherson County
Saline County
This red flag warning replaces the fire weather watch that was issued earlier for Thursday.
Winds from the northwest at 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph and relative humidity as low as 18 percent is forecast.
Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and become very difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Additionally, NWS in Wichita has issued a red flag warning in effect from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. for Marion County.
Winds from the northwest at 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph and relative humidity as low as 22 percent is forecast.
Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and become very difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
NWS in Topeka has issued a red flag warning in effect from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday for the following counties in our area.
Clay County
Cloud County
Dickinson County
Ottawa County
Republic County
Northwest winds sustained at 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph with minimum relative humidity values in the 20 to 25 percent range are forecast.
Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. Vegetation is in a dormant state and is extremely susceptible to rapid fire spread, NWS noted.
NWS in Hastings, Neb., has issued a red flag warning in effect from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday for the following counties in our area.
Jewell County
Mitchell County
Northwest winds of 35 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph and relative humidity as low as 18 percent are forecast.
Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. Use extreme caution if engaging in activities that could start a fire, NWS noted.
High wind warnings
NWS has added a high wind warning in effect until 6 p.m. Friday for the following counties in our area.
Marion County
McPherson County
Saline County
Northwest winds of 30 to 45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are forecast.
Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive.
NWS in Wichita has issued a high wind warning in effect in effect until 6 p.m. Friday for the following counties in our area.
Ellsworth County
Lincoln County
Northwest winds of 40 to 45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are expected to develop behind a cold front tonight and continue into Friday.
Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
NWS in Topeka has issued a high wind warning in effect until 6 p.m. Friday for the the following counties in our area.
Clay County
Cloud County
Ottawa County
Republic County
Northwest winds of 20 to 40 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph are expected.
Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
NWS in Topeka also has issued a high wind warning in effect until 6 p.m. Friday for Dickinson County.
Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph are forecast.
Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected, NWS noted. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches. If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Use caution if you must drive.
NWS in Hastings, Neb., has issued a high wind warning until 6 p.m Friday for the following counties in our area.
Jewell County
Mitchell County
Northwest winds of 35 to 45 mph with gusts of 50 to 65 mph are expected.
Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Scattered power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
The initial surge of strong northwest winds will occur behind a cold front tonight. Peak wind gusts near 60 mph are likely with this initial surge, with locally higher gusts up to 70 mph possible. After a relative lull early Thursday morning, another round of strong winds is expected from mid-morning through early evening, in which peak gusts will be near 60 mph once again.