With a cold front expected through the West U area today, the National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for Thursday as strong winds are expected to combine with dry conditions to heighten the fire danger.
Northerly winds 15 – 25 mph with gusts as high as 30 mph are expected.
Humidity levels will drop to 18 – 25 percent by Thursday afternoon.
As a result of the changing weather conditions, any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
A fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. A “red flag” warning may be issued at a later time.
Counties affected by the fire weather watch include Harris, Waller, Fort Bend, Houston, Trinity, Madison, Walker, San Jacinto, Polk Burleson, Brazos, Washington, Grimes, Montgomery, Liberty, Colorado, Austin, Chambers, Wharton, Jackson, Matagorda, Brazoria and Galveston.
Before the cold front arrives later today, high temperatures are expected to reach into the low 80s. Partly cloudy skies will give way to cloudy skies later in the day with a 40 percent chance of rain later in the day.
The cold front will usher in a dramatic change in temperatures, with a high on Thursday reaching only into the mid-60s. Thursday’s night low should dip into the high 30s.
