Red Flag Warning

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON CDT /11 AM MDT/ TODAY TO 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING DUE TO WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHWEST AND SOUTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA...

.Critical fire weather conditions are expected across much of western North Dakota today. Westerly winds will increase to around 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. A cold front will then move from northwest North Dakota to the southeast this afternoon into the early evening, shifting winds to the northwest. Relative humidity will fall to as low as 12 percent during the afternoon hours.

* AFFECTED AREA...Much of western North Dakota.

* TIMING...From noon CDT /11 AM MDT/ today to 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ this evening.

* WINDS...West to southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph then shifting to the northwest in afternoon and early evening.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 12 to 18 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.