ST. LOUIS — As temperatures warm well above average Monday afternoon, the risk of brush fires rises. There were a few brush fires reported across the area Sunday afternoon due to the recent dry and warm weather. The critical fire danger areas Sunday were north and west of St. Louis.
The fire danger risk will cover most of the area Monday afternoon. The air is extremely dry. Relative humidity levels will drop to low levels during the afternoon. In combination with the dry brush and leaves along with a south to southwest breeze, any fire could spread quickly. Winds may gust above 20 m.p.h.
Outdoor burning should be avoided Monday. Relative humidity levels will increase a bit on Tuesday, but gusty winds and warm weather will continue. Afternoon temperatures will still be around 70 degrees Tuesday through Thursday before turning cooler Friday into the weekend.
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By Wednesday into Thursday, rain chances will increase across the region bringing an end to the dry conditions. Locally heavy rainfall is possible later this week into the weekend with some areas possibly seeing four inches or more of rain over several days.
Cooler weather will continue to linger into next week.
