Tracking warm and windy conditions that will create a fire weather risk Friday

TODAY: Friday is mostly sunny and warm. South west winds will drive a warmup into the mid-to-upper 60s. Warmth, dry air, and winds sustained around 20-25 mph - gusting to 30-40mph - will create for widespread fire risk. A red flag warning is in effect until 8 p.m. areawide.

TONIGHT: A dry cold front arrives today, gradually bringing a shift to more northerly winds by the evening. Temperatures fall into the low 30s overnight. This will bring a chance for freezing temperatures by Saturday morning.

EXTENDED: Saturday will be the coolest afternoon, with temperatures in the low-to-mid 40s despite abundant sunshine. Temperatures will be the coldest through the entire forecast period overnight into Sunday morning. Low 20s will be possible for some to start Sunday, but a notable warmup lifts highs to near 50 by the afternoon. A round of showers will approach Sunday night into Monday morning. We'll carry a chance for showers into Monday, but we will see more warmth with the rain. We expect highs in the 50s Monday, and possibly 60s Tuesday, as another chance for rain and possibly thunder builds into the forecast ahead of a large low pressure system. This will pass, leaving us cooler and drier Wednesday and Thursday.