Windy conditions bring risk of spreading wildfires

MONDAY: Windy conditions this afternoon are warming us into the 50s across Mid-Missouri, but also providing an elevated fire risk for the area. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for most of the area from until 6 PM today. Winds will transition out of the west to northwest by the afternoon, with speeds from 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35. These conditions will allow for wildfires to spread rapidly, so outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. As we head into the afternoon hours, we’ll see some clouds increase from the north as a cold front tracks through. This frontal boundary will be a dry frontal passage, but we will see an increase in clouds and a return to cooler conditions.

TONIGHT: Breezy conditions will continue into the evening hours as the front continues to push south. Winds out of the northwest will range up to 15 mph with gusts as high as 25. Heavy cloud coverage will decrease after 10 PM tonight with clearing skies by the morning. Temperatures will drop into the mid 20s with wind chills in the mid teens for the AM commute.

EXTENDED: Tuesday will feature a return to 30s for highs, as the cold front will have cleared Mid-Missouri. We look to modify again by Wednesday as highs rise back into the upper 40s. A weak disturbance tracks through Mid-Missouri by Thursday which could bring a few flurries, but the overall weather pattern remains dry through most of next week. It’s looking likely that the drought conditions will only worsen as we head into the coming days, with no sign of any measurable precipitation. Temperatures by the weekend will return to unseasonably warm with highs in the upper 50s on Saturday. Watch ABC17 news for the latest forecast and follow ABC17 Stormtrack on Twitter for updates.