High fire danger continues today

High fire danger this afternoon (National Weather Service graphic)

Humidity will drop a bit lower than yesterday, minimizing between 25 to 35 percent across much of the area this afternoon, and bringing a return of high fire danger, according to the National Weather Service.

The southwest winds will be a little lighter at 15 to 20 mph, occasionally gusting to 25 to 30 mph, but still strong enough to result in high fire danger especially south of St. Joseph, Mo., the weather service said.

Cooler temperatures will lower the fire danger on Saturday, and quiet conditions are expected for the remainder of the weekend, according to the weather service.

Residents are discouraged from outdoor burning today, the weather service said.

Today’s forecast is a high near 53 with sunny skies, according to the weather service. A south southwest wind of 6 to 11 mph will increase to 12 to 17 mph in the afternoon, gusting as high as 26 mph.

Tonight, expect a low of 34, with a south southwest wind of 7 to 13 mph becoming west after midnight, the weather service said.

Saturday, it will be mostly sunny with a high near 41, the weather service said. A west wind of 6 to 9 mph will become north in the afternoon.

Saturday night, New Year’s Eve, it will be partly cloudy with a low of 26, according to the weather service. A north wind of 5 mph will become calm.

On Sunday, New Year’s Day, it will be partly sunny with a high of 46, the weather service said. There will be a southeast wind of 5 to 8 mph.

Sunday night, there is a 40 percent chance of rain after midnight, according to the weather service. The low will be around 40. Less than an inch of rain is forecast.

On Monday, there is a 60 percent chance of rain, mainly before noon, the weather service said. It will be cloudy with a high of 54.

Monday night, the low will be around 31 with mostly cloudy skies, the weather service said.

Tuesday, it will be partly sunny with a high near 36, according to the weather service. Tuesday night, the low will be around 15.

Wednesday, the high will be near 24 with partly sunny skies, the weather service said. Wednesday night, the low will be around 13.

Thursday, it will be mostly sunny with a high of 27, according to the weather service.