Flames from a grass fire in progress, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
HASTINGS — A Red Flag Warning for critical fire weather conditions has been issued for central Nebraska on Saturday as record breaking high temperatures are expected.
The National Weather Service – Hastings, has issued the warning for their entire Nebraska coverage area from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for strong winds, low relative humidity and high afternoon temperatures.
Winds are expected out of the southwest at 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 20 to 30 mph. After midnight, winds will change abruptly, turning northerly behind a cold front moving into the region, with gusts up to 30 to 40 mph.
Relative humidity could drop as low as five to 15 percent on Saturday afternoon and then increase to 30 to 40 percent late Saturday night.
“Although winds Saturday into Saturday evening will not be overly strong, record-breaking heat and very low relative humidity will still promote dangerous fire weather conditions. Any fires that might start on Saturday would then be subject to a sharp and abrupt shift to strong northerly winds early Sunday morning behind a cold front,” per NWS Hastings.
Highs on Saturday will reach 91 to 97 degrees, breaking temperature records for the day and potentially for the month.
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.
