Temperatures to rise to mid-60s today, 70s on Saturday

Increased fire danger today, air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups

A south wind of 11 to 18 mph will gust as high as 28 mph today in Wyandotte County. Burning is discouraged. (National Weather Service graphic)

After a cold morning, where temperatures reached a low of 39, temperatures are expected to rise into the mid-60s today, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

The high on Easter Sunday will be 77, the weather service said.

This afternoon, there will be elevated fire danger, according to the weather service. With dry and breezy conditions, and relative humidity dropping to 25 to 30 percent, the risk of fire increases, the weather service stated.

Because any fires that develop could spread rapidly, outdoor burning is discouraged on Friday, the weather service said.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has warned that increased burning taking place in the Flint Hills area and central Kansas can lead to elevated air pollutant levels, with potential changes to the air quality index.

Today’s air quality reading is “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” according to AirNow.gov. The reading at 9 a.m. was a pm2.5 of 123. PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter, particles in the air, that may lessen visibility and appear hazy.

Those who have heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens may want to reduce their exposure by choosing less strenuous activities, shortening the amount of time outdoors or waiting until the air quality is better before they are active outdoors. For more information, see https://www.airnow.gov/.

Today, it will be sunny, with a high near 66 and a south wind of 11 to 18 mph, gusting as high as 28 mph, the weather service said.

Tonight, it will be clear, with a low of 47 and a south wid of 13 to 15 mph, gusting as high as 22 mph, according to the weather service.

Saturday, it will be sunny, with a high near 73 and a south southwest wind of 11 to 16 mph, gusting as high as 26 mph, the weather service said.

Saturday night, it will be clear, with a low of 49 and a south southwest wind of 6 to 8 mph, according to the weather service.

Easter Sunday, it will be sunny, with a high near 77 and a south southwest wind of 7 to 14 mph, gusting as high as 18 mph, the weather service said.

Sunday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 57, according to the weather service.

Monday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 78, the weather service said.

Monday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 59, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 77, the weather service said.

Tuesday night, there will be a 30 percent chance of rain, with a low of 60, according to the weather service.

Wednesday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 75, the weather service said.

Wednesday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low around 50, according to the weather service.

Thursday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 69, the weather service said.