A combination of gusty winds, very dry conditions, and humidities as low a 5% has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Red Flag Warning for dangerous fire conditions across the San Antonio area for between 10AM this morning and 7PM tonight, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The Fire Weather Watch isposted for the eastern Hill Country, Austin and the San Antonio metro areas, as well as portions of the Coastal Plains, including Karnes, DeWitt, and Lavaca Counties.
The situation is particularly dangerous to the east of I-35, where humidity will be especially low.In addition, the NWS says wind gusts up to 30 mph are expected across the region today, with the strongest winds west of I-35.
The brush and grass is particularly dry, due to near drought conditions across the area.
"Very dry air will move into the region behind a weak front passage on Monday," the advisory warns. Humidity values will fall during the late morning and afternoon while temperatures soar into the upper 80s to near 90. Gusty west to northwest winds will also occur. Fuels remain dry given low amounts of rain over the past several weeks. All combined, these conditions will create critical fire weather conditions for counties within the Red Flag Warning that will lead to fire growth and spread, if one was to occur. If winds look to trend higher, then an expansion of the Red Flag Warning farther west could occur.
GRAPHIC; NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE