Red Flag Warning

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING FOR LOCATIONS IN NORTH DAKOTA SOUTH AND WEST OF THE MISSOURI RIVER AND LAKE SAKAKAWEA...

.Warm and breezy conditions are expected over much of western and parts of south central North Dakota today ahead of an approaching cold front. Temperatures are forecast to climb into the upper 80s, with afternoon humiditity values as low as 13 percent. Winds this afternoon are forecast to be westerly 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 30 mph. Due to the low humidity and breezy conditions with abundant dry vegetation, critical fire weather conditions are expected this afternoon into this evening for locations in North Dakota to the south and west of the Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea.

* AFFECTED AREA...Portions of North Dakota to the south and west of the Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea.

* TIMING...From 1 PM CDT /noon MDT/ this afternoon to 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ this evening.

* WINDS...Southwesterly around 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity as low as 13 percent.

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