Enhanced Threat For Wildfires In NoVA, DC With Gusty Winds: NWS

VIRGINIA/DC — Even after Tuesday’s rain, Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., are experiencing abnormally dry conditions, with some nearby areas classified as in a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

With low relative humidity levels, gusty winds and the dry conditions, the D.C. area was placed under a special weather statement on Thursday by the National Weather Service, which warned that conditions are ripe to spread fire.

Minimum relative humidity values will drop to between 20 and 25 percent across northern and central Virginia Thursday afternoon, with temperatures expected to reach 60 degrees after a chilly start to the day. These conditions pose an enhanced threat for the spread of wildfires, according to the NWS.

Northwest winds will gust frequently between 20 and 30 mph, while the strongest winds will coincide with the lowest relative humidity during the mid to late afternoon hours, the NWS said.

"The combination of low fuel moisture, low relative humidity, and gusty winds will enhance the threat for the spread of wildfires," the weather service said.

Outdoor burning Thursday afternoon is strongly discouraged in the area.

The special weather statement is scheduled to end at 6:15 p.m. Thursday.

Here's the NWS forecast for the close-in suburbs of D.C. for the next few days:

Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. North wind 6 to 10 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph.

Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind around 6 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 3 to 6 mph.

Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68..

Sunday night: A chance of showers before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 76.