(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — As our seasons continue to change, dynamic weather systems will begin to move in and out of Colorado more regularly. The lead up to these systems moving though typically brings dry and windy conditions–the perfect recipe for high fire danger.

As of Wednesday afternoon, March 19, a good majority of Southern Colorado is under a red flag warning. The red flag warnings are active from noon until 9:00 p.m. on Thursday. There are a couple of counties surrounding the area that are also under a fire weather watch, these counties are highlighted in dark maroon. Fire weather watch counties may be upgraded to red flag warnings if conditions continue to become more explosive.

On Thursday, winds may begin to gust as early as 10:00 a.m. Throughout the day, gusts will increase from 20 miles per hour all the way up to 40 miles per hour in select areas. The Sangre De Cristos and Palmer Divide will once again be a hot spot for high winds.

Conditions will also be rather dry on Thursday. Relative Humidity will be in the single digits for a few different spots with teens and low 20s elsewhere. The Arkansas River Valley will be particularly dry with areas that have experienced fires recently once again seeing some elevated concerns.

On top of the dry and windy weather expected on Thursday, temperatures will also be above average. A warm day is expected with highs generally in the 50s and 60s for the lower elveations.