Severe Weather Alerts

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS LIKELY TODAY...

.Gusty northwesterly winds will develop later this morning
increasing to 25 to 35 MPH this afternoon. Some gusts up to 45 MPH
are possible. Winds will combine with minimum RH of 15 to 20
percent, producing critical fire weather conditions across
portions of southwestern Nebraska.

The National Weather Service in North Platte has issued a Red
Flag Warning for low relative humidity and gusty winds, which is
in effect from 10 AM CDT /9 AM MDT/ to 8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/ Friday.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 210 Frenchman Basin and Fire
Weather Zone 219 Loess Plains.

* TIMING...10 AM CDT (9 AM MDT) Friday through 8 PM CDT (7 PM MDT)
Friday evening.

* WINDS...Northwest 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 to 20 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...Up to 63 degrees.

* LIGHTNING...None expected.

* IMPACTS...Any fire starts will spread rapidly and be difficult
to control.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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.

...Critical Fire Weather on Friday...

.Breezy to strong NW winds and low relative humidity will lead to
critical fire weather conditions across the majority of the area
Friday afternoon.

* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 001 Cheyenne KS, 002
Rawlins, 003 Decatur, 004 Norton, 013 Sherman, 014 Thomas, 015
Sheridan, 016 Graham, 027 Wallace, 028 Logan, 029 Gove, 041
Greeley, 042 Wichita, 079 Dundy, 080 Hitchcock, 081 Red
Willow, 252 Yuma, 253 Kit Carson and 254 Cheyenne CO.

* TIMING...From 11 AM MDT /noon CDT/ to 7 PM MDT /8 PM CDT/
Friday.

* WINDS...Northwest at 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 to 15 percent.

* IMPACTS...Unpredictable fire behavior. Any fires that develop
may rapidly grow and spread out of control.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Comply with burn bans and regulations. Avoid driving on dry grass
or brush. Maintain vehicle brakes and tires and secure tow chains
to avoid dragging. Never toss lit cigarettes onto the ground.