Due to high winds and dry conditions, all of North and Central Texas are under a red flag warning Friday.
The conditions create a “dangerous” risk of wildfires, according to the National Wea ther Service’s Fort Worth office. Wind gusts on Friday are expected to be between 25 to 35 mph, with some gusts up to 65 mph possible. In addition to the red flag warning , which lasts from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Dallas is also under a high wind warning until 7 p.m.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to deploy additional resources to the state to be prepared for the possibility of wildfires, the governor said Thursday.
The high winds could also blow dust, according to the weather service.
Warm weather will continue Friday in Dallas, as a high of 80 degrees is expected. It follows two consecutive days where a high of 86 was recorded, which is the second highest temperature recorded so far this year.
Temperatures this weekend are expected to drop to the low 70s, before rising again early next week. Warm and dry conditions are expected to continue, meaning the elevated risk for grass fires will remain, according to the weather service.
FRIDAY: Becoming very windy with a mix of clouds and sun. Winds could gust to 50-60 mph during the afternoon. An extreme grass fire threat will exist. Areas of blowing dust. Critical fire danger. High: 80. Wind: SW 25-35 mph with higher gusts over 50 mph.
SATURDAY: Cooler and breezy with a mix of clouds and sun. A spotty shower or thunderstorm is possible Saturday morning for locations south/east of DFW. Low: 47. High: 72. Wind: NW 10-20 mph.
SUNDAY: Mostly sunny and mild. Not as breezy. Low: 48. High: 73. Wind: N 5-10 mph.
MONDAY (ST. PATRICK’S DAY): Breezy and warm with sunshine and a few clouds. Low: 58. High: 82. Wind: S 10-20 mph.
TUESDAY: Sun, clouds, breezy and warm. Low: 56. High: 84. Wind: S 15-25 mph.
WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy, breezy and cooler. Low: 46. High: 74. Wind: NW 10-20 mph.
THURSDAY: Cooler with a mix of sunshine and clouds. Low: 46. High: 66. Wind: N 10-15 mph.
FRIDAY: Milder with a few passing clouds, otherwise generally sunny. Low: 53. High: 74. Wind: S 10-20 mph.
