Red Flag Warning issued for central Nebraska from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 25, (NWS Hastings, Courtesy)
HASTINGS — A Red Flag Warning for critical fire weather conditions has been issued for the afternoon and early evening of Wednesday, March 25 in central Nebraska.
According to the National Weather Service – Hastings, the warning is issued from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. for their entire 24 Nebraska county and three Kansas county warning area.
Temperatures on Wednesday are expected to reach the high 80s and low 90s, high temperature records for both Grand Island and Hastings are at risk of being broken.
These hot temperatures and winds out of the northwest at 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 to 30 mph will combine to create critical fire weather conditions.
Relative humidity will be as low as 10 to 20 percent across the region, with the lowest values expected west of Highway 281. These values will be slow to recover during the evening hours, only reaching 30 to 40 percent by midnight.
For any fires that do develop, first responders will need to watch for the strong cold front that will be pushing south late tonight. This front will bring an abrupt switch to northerly winds, with some gusts exceeding 40 mph.
Any fire that develops will spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
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.
