Tracking critical fire weather this afternoon

THIS AFTERNOON: A Red Flag warning is in effect until 7 PM this evening as winds gust between 30 to 40 mph and humidity remains low. Highs rebound to the mid-60s.

TONIGHT: Winds remain breezy overnight above 20 mph behind a dry front. Lows fall to the upper 30s.

EXTENDED: Much-needed rain is expected this weekend as showers first arrive by Saturday evening. Storms developing after midnight into early Sunday may produce isolated hail and lots of thunder. This system will bring a widespread quarter and a half inch of rainfall, and warmer-than-average temperatures persist as highs remain in the low 60s early next week.