The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg SC has issued a Red Flag Warning for a swath of the Southeast region, including parts of northeast Georgia, Piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina, and Upstate South Carolina. The alert is indicative of combustible atmospheric conditions, specifically citing "wind and low humidity across the area on SATURDAY," and it's in effect from 11 AM to 8 PM EDT today.
With humidity levels forecasted to tunnel under 20 percent for most locales today and winds expected to romp across the region as a dry cold front barrels in, attendees at outdoor events could feel the bite, as gusts reach from 30 to 35 mph. However, the counties butting against the TN/NC border have been excluded from the warning due to relatively higher fuel moisture and humidity levels that present a less critical fire threat.
The details shared by the National Weather Service forecast a day that would otherwise be considered sunny and clear with temperature highs edging up to 73°F. But under the smile of the sunny sky, the wind will churn westward at speeds of 15 to 25 mph, thrusting gusts that could top out at a forceful 45 mph, turning an idyllic day into a tinderbox situation.
Localized impacts of such a fire weather setup could be dire, with the NWS cautioning that "Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly." Officials are strongly advising against any form of outdoor burning during the hours of the Red Flag Warning. The combination of dry conditions, feverish winds, and toasty temperatures form a nexus that don't just flirt with danger – they court disaster, should flames come into the fray.
Following today's warning, the weather outlook seems to mellow as no further hazardous conditions are expected from Sunday through Friday. Residents can follow updates and further information on safety protocols during the Red Flag Warning by tuning into NOAA Weather Radio or visiting the National Weather Service website.
