Strong winds, dry conditions lead to Red Flag Warning for Kansas City metro
Kansas Citians should take caution as a Red Flag Warning goes into effect Thursday, FOX4 meteorologist Michelle Bogowith said.
The warning, which means there is an increased risk of fire danger, takes effect from noon to 6 p.m., said Bogowith, who provides weather updates to The Star.
“Area-wide we are very concerned with fire weather dangers as we’ll have very strong winds in place,” Bogowith said.
She said wind speeds could reach up to 40 mph at times.
“It’s not going to make for the most ideal conditions for outdoor burning so please hesitate,” Bogowith said. “Don’t do that today.”
This is the first warning in the region since March 2018, according to the National Weather Service. Fires will spread quickly and be difficult to control, the weather service said.
The weather service says to avoid parking on dry grass and any potential ignition sources. They also say it’s important to properly throw away cigarettes: Don’t throw them out a car window.
By Friday, winds will start to relax as temperatures drop into the mid-50s.
Temperatures will rise to 65 degrees on Sunday, but will drop again as cloud coverage moves into the region. And with those clouds, Bogowith said, comes the next chance of rain on Monday.
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The Star produced this weather update in partnership with the local FOX4 television station. The station’s meteorologists create forecast videos multiple times a day for the newspaper to include in its weather reports.
“I would plan for a soggy morning commute, a soggy lunch hour and even conditions staying very soggy ... as we head home Monday evening,” Bogowith said.
According to the weather service, the chance of rain is about 90 percent.
On Tuesday, temperatures will stay cool in the 50s.
This story was originally published March 5, 2020 at 7:01 AM.
