Pleasant, but fire danger through Friday
Calm weather has settled into the area during the middle part of this week in the wake of a cold front, but gusty winds have ramped up over the last 12 to 24 hours with a tightening pressure gradient over the area. Blustery northwest winds led in a surface high pressure on Wednesday Night, as a low pressure system deepened well off to our north and east. The northwest winds and very low humidity are leading to concern for brush fire spread throughout the area. Subsequently, the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for much of the area — save for Long Island, where higher humidity values are present near the coasts.
A Red Flag Warning is issued by the National Weather Service when high winds and low humidity are expected to make conditions favorable for dangerous and rapid spread of brush fires if ignition occurs. Despite the concern for fire spread, pleasant weather will continue — albeit a bit cool of this time of year. Highs in the lower 60’s will be common on Thursday and Friday before a disturbance approaches with a period of rain expected Friday Night.
Very low dew points and gusty winds could cause rapid fire spread today.