Weather report: Wait a bit on planting gardens, outdoor burning

High fire danger Saturday (National Weather Service graphic)

Hold off on any outdoor burning today, and hold off on planting anything that could be affected by a freeze.

The National Weather Service predicts a heightened fire danger this afternoon as humidity values fall in the region and wind speeds in the double digits are expected.

Today’s high may be 45 degrees, with winds currently at 12 mph. Temperature at 10 a.m. Saturday was 36 degrees, a wind chill of 28.

Sunday’s forecast is sunny and a high near 41.

Then, on Monday, there will be a 40 per cent chance of snow and rain, with less than a tenth of an inch possible. The high will be near 43 Monday.

Chances for accumulating snow Monday (National Weather Service graphic)

Fire danger remains high today

National Weather Service graphic

The National Weather Service warned that fire danger remains high again this afternoon.

A dry air mass remains in place over the region, and afternoon humidity values will fall to below 30 per across much of the area, with winds shifting to the northwest this afternoon.

The greatest fire potential will be across northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas, where winds will become stronger from the northwest, and also across central into southern and eastern Missouri.

As a cold front moves through the area late this morning and early this afternoon, gusty northwest winds of up to 25 mph are possible.

The weather service said outdoor burning should be avoided today as these conditions could lead to uncontrolled fires.

Today’s high will be 64, a little cooler than Thursday, according to the forecast.

Temperatures are predicted to reach 62 at 3 p.m., and an estimated 15-degree drop in the temperature is predicted between 6 p.m. and midnight, when it will be 45 degrees.

The drop will continue at 3 a.m. Saturday, when it will be about 40 degrees, through 6 a.m., at 37 degrees. Saturday’s high will be only 47 degrees.

Sunday’s high will be 41 degrees.

Monday brings a 40 percent chance of rain or snow with a high of 39. Tuesday will be mostly sunny with a high of 38.

Warm, windy start to spring

Red flag warning (National Weather Service graphic)

The first day of spring, Thursday, March 20, starts with a sunny day near 70 degrees.

Southwest winds of 8 to 13 mph will increase in the afternoon to 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Winds are accompanied by low humidity and dry conditions.

The conditions are enough for a red flag warning from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

The warning means there is an increased risk of fire. Residents are asked to avoid any outdoor burning.

Friday’s weather forecast isn’t quite as warm, with a high of 65.

Saturday will cool off to 47 degrees, with Sunday’s high 42.

Be careful about planting any plants outdoors yet. On Saturday night, temperatures drop below freezing, to 26 degrees.

Monday’s forecast has a 30 percent chance of rain or snow, with a high of 44.

Low humidity (National Weather Service graphic)
Strong winds (National Weather Service graphic)