Red Flag Warning in effect across Nebraska Panhandle, southeast Wyoming

SIDNEY, Neb. — A Red Flag Warning is in effect Sunday for much of the Nebraska Panhandle, southeast Wyoming and portions of northeast Colorado as critical fire weather conditions move across the region.

The National Weather Service in Cheyenne issued the warning from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST Sunday for fire weather zones across western Nebraska and southeast Wyoming, citing dry conditions and breezy winds.

Forecasters said west to southwest winds of 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph are expected, along with relative humidity values between 12 and 17 percent. Any fires that develop are likely to spread rapidly, and outdoor burning is not recommended.

Fire danger is expected to remain elevated to critical through at least Tuesday and possibly into Wednesday, according to the weather service.

High winds are increasingly likely across southeast Wyoming and western Nebraska on Tuesday. In addition, moderate to heavy mountain snowfall is forecast from Tuesday through Thursday, primarily above 8,500 feet.

Snowfall is also possible across the Plains from Wednesday into Thursday, followed by temperatures dropping below seasonal averages toward the end of the week.

The weather service said a Red Flag Warning means critical fire weather conditions are occurring or imminent, with a combination of strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures contributing to extreme fire behavior.