Dallas started today on a mellow note with low clouds, mild skies, and temperatures in the low 60s headed for the mid 70s by afternoon. It is an easy, pleasant setup for errands and outdoor plans, but the same warmth and drying are priming conditions for a much different story tomorrow. A Fire Weather Watch is posted for far north central counties that could see gusty, dry winds on Thursday, so anyone planning yard burning or using outdoor equipment should think twice.
Afternoon Outlook
Across the Metroplex today, highs are expected to top out near 76°F, with a light southwest to west southwest breeze that will feel almost like an early taste of spring. Relative humidity will drop this afternoon, especially west of I-35, which will leave grass and brush drier than usual by tonight. Travel around town and through the airports should roll along without much weather impact today, although winds are expected to kick up more on Thursday across some of the rural areas.
Thursday Fire Weather Watch
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a Fire Weather Watch for late tomorrow morning through evening, covering parts of far north central Texas, including Montague, Cooke, Grayson, Young, Jack, and Wise counties. The watch calls for west-northwest winds sustained at 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, along with relative humidity as low as 10 percent, conditions that could allow any new fires to spread quickly, according to NWS Fort Worth.
How To Prepare
Locals are urged to postpone any outdoor burning and to secure yard furniture and loose debris before Thursday afternoon, and to check for any active burn bans if they live outside city limits. If you spot smoke or a brush fire, call 911 right away and avoid parking or driving near active fire lines so emergency crews can move in quickly.
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