By SALINA POST
The National Weather Service has issued multiple weather alerts for central, south-central, and southeast Kansas, including a Red Flag Warning, a Fire Weather Watch, and a High Wind Watch.
Red Flag Warning in effect today
A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, March 17, due to extreme grassland fire danger. A Fire Weather Watch is also in place for Tuesday, March 18.
Areas affected:
Central Kansas: Saline, McPherson, Marion, Chase
South-Central Kansas: Reno, Harvey, Butler, Kingman, Sedgwick, Harper, Sumner, Cowley
Southeast Kansas: Greenwood, Woodson, Allen, Elk, Wilson, Neosho, Chautauqua, Montgomery, Labette
Cities and towns impacted include: Salina, McPherson, Marion, Cottonwood Falls, Hutchinson, Newton, El Dorado, Wichita, Kingman, Wellington, Winfield, Eureka, Fredonia, Iola, Independence, and Parsons.
Weather conditions:
Winds: South 20-30 mph, gusts up to 45 mph.
Humidity: As low as 18%.
Fire risk: Any fires that develop could spread rapidly and be difficult to contain. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.
High Wind Watch issued for Tuesday night into Wednesday
A High Wind Watch is in effect from late Tuesday night through Wednesday evening, with strong northwest winds expected.
Areas affected: Barton, Ellsworth, Saline, Rice, McPherson, Reno, Harvey, Kingman, Sedgwick, Harper, Sumner
Cities and towns impacted include: Salina, Ellsworth, Great Bend, Lyons, McPherson, Hutchinson, Newton, Wichita, Kingman, and Wellington.
Weather conditions:
Winds: Northwest 30-40 mph, gusts up to 60 mph.
Impact: Strong winds could down trees and power lines. Travel, especially for high-profile vehicles, may be hazardous.
Residents are encouraged to secure outdoor objects and prepare for potentially dangerous fire conditions and high winds. For further weather alerts and advisories, stay updated with the Salina Post.
Five-Day Weather Forecast
Today
Sunny, with a high near 80. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 14 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Breezy, with a south wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 17 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Tuesday Night
Rain likely after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Windy, with a south wind 9 to 14 mph becoming north northwest 26 to 36 mph. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday
Rain and snow likely before 4pm, then a slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Very windy, with a northwest wind 36 to 40 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Blustery.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 62.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Breezy.
Friday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Breezy.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.