What The NWS Red Flag Warning Means For The Hudson Valley

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Wildfires in the tri-state area are affecting the air quality in the Hudson Valley.

Most of the region remains under a red flag warning.

A red flag warning, meaning critical fire weather conditions are expected or occurring, was extended throughout much of the Hudson Valley by the National Weather Service.

The latest warning, which includes the lower Hudson Valley and New York City, will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday.

Red flag warnings are issued when there is a combination of meteorological conditions, like gusty winds and fuel conditions such as dry, dead grasses, leaves, and vegetation, as part of a forecast coordinated with the state's Department of Environmental Conservation, weather service meteorologist Nelson Vazz told Patch's Peggy Spellman Hoey.

He expects wind gusts in the region from 25 to 30 mph and low relative humidity, which is a contributing factor.

"Some of the plants that are kind of dying at this time of year, they're drying out as well," he said. "When you have a low relative humidity, it just makes them more available to burn."

The lack of rainfall for the past couple of months has exacerbated the problem.