The combination of very dry air and breezy southwesterly winds are expected to cause to near-critical to critical fire weather conditions across the Hill Country and the Austin/Interstate 35 corridor this afternoon.

Forecasts call for a dry line to push east into the Hill Country around midday and through the Intestate 35 corridor early this afternoon. There won’t be any rain along the dry line. However, the feature will bring in much drier air. Afternoon relative humidity readings are forecast to drop below 20 percent. In addition, breezy southwesterly winds with speeds of 10-20 mph, with gusts to 25 mph are forecast to develop across the region by midday.

The lack of significant rain across the Hill Country over the winter and associated dry vegetation/fuels plus today’s dry and breezy weather is expected to cause near-critical to critical fire weather conditions this afternoon. Any fires that develop could be difficult to control and will spread rapidly.

Everyone is advised to avoid any outdoor activities that could inadvertently cause the development of wildfires.

Fire weather concerns are forecast to improve tonight and Friday as relative humidity levels trend higher.

Thursday is shaping up to be an unusually warm day for February, with high temperatures in the low to mid-80s. Slightly cooler temperatures are forecast for Friday and Saturday.