Elevated Fire Concerns Return to North Texas on Tuesday

The National Weather Service Fort Worth issued an alert ahead of elevated fire weather concerns in North Texas on Tuesday between 1-6 p.m.

According to the alert, breezy and dry conditions will result in a window of slightly elevated fire concerns for areas west of US-281, in particular Graham and Cisco, on Tuesday afternoon.

Afternoon humidity in the area will drop to 20-25% and the highest wind gusts will be 30-35 mph. That combination creates a window for fire weather concern. Elsewhere in the area, breezy winds but slightly higher humidity values are expected.

The NWS reminds residents to never toss lit cigarettes on the ground or leave a fire unattended. Do not burn unnecessarily.

Residents should expect spring-like temperatures for the rest of the week. Temperatures should steadily warm Tuesday and Wednesday under mostly sunny skies. Tuesday will be one of the breezier days of the week, and Wednesday will be the warmest with temperatures in the upper 70s to mid 80s.

Just when it starts feeling like spring, a cold front will run through the area and drop temperatures down a few degrees through Friday.

When it comes to the drought monitor, much of the North Texas area is considered abnormally dry or in a moderate drought. This winter has so far been exceptionally warm and dry, with the combined precipitation deficit for December and January up to over three inches across North and Central Texas.

Unfortunately, the remainder of the season could continue to be warmer and drier than average with worsening drought conditions expected before any improvements begin in the spring.