Weather continues to bring high fire risks to Western NC, even as wildfires are contained
Though wildfires across Western North Carolina are slowly being contained, weather conditions have continued to grow more dangerous.
A wind advisory and high wind warning from the National Weather Service are both in effect in Buncombe County and across much of WNC, with the agency warning of increased fire danger through Tuesday evening, March 4.
The advisory and warning remain in effect until 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5 - and professionals have warned that it will take more than initial rounds of rain for fire risk to finally dwindle.
Here's what else we know about the forecasts.
As of 1:45 p.m., the U.S. Forest Service informed the public that all wildfires across North Carolina's National Forests were contained or mostly contained. This included the Falls Dam Fire, Ramshorn Fire and Hicks Cemetery fires in N.C. national forests, covering about 765 acres in total. However, the same news release warned that weather conditions remain dangerous.
"Although relative humidity will be higher today, temperatures will be warmer and winds will be stronger during the afternoon and early evening hours," the alert says. "Rain is not expected to develop soon enough to have an impact on fuel moistures during the warmest part of the day today. So, in coordination with forestry officials a Fire Danger Statement remains in effect for North Carolina, South Carolina, and northeast Georgia."
The NWS issued several warnings around high wind in Buncombe County and much of WNC. A weather hazard outlook posted at 5:13 a.m. on March 4 explained that a wind advisory for areas below 3,500 feet and a high wind warning for areas above 3,500 feet are both in effect from 7 p.m. this evening to 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
As a strong cold front moves over the mountains late night on March 4, gusty winds and heavy rain are expected. A line of thunderstorms may develop and move across the region in the pre-dawn hours, and some of the storms in the line could produce damaging straight line wind gusts.
The alert added that "very gusty winds" will likely persist well into Thursday, though the warning and advisory currently end on Wednesday at 1 p.m.
More: National Forest wildfires in North Carolina contained, US Forest Service says
The Forest Service news release said that precipitation and rising humidity are expected to "moderate conditions and fire behavior in coming days."
The NWS has issued the following forecast for the remainder of the week in Buncombe County:
Tuesday, March 4 - Chance of rain before 11 p.m., then showers, mainly after 11 p.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog after midnight. Low around 51 degrees. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 13 to 18 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Wednesday, March 5 - The high wind warning and advisory end at 1 p.m. Showers, mainly before 4 p.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. High near 61 degrees. Breezy, with a south wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
The chance of rain remains overnight, possibly mixing with snow after 11 p.m., then gradually ending. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29 degrees. Northwest wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Thursday, March 6 - Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 46 degrees. Breezy, with a northwest wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
Partly cloudy overnight, with a low around 30 degrees. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph.
Friday, March 7 - Mostly sunny, with a high near 64 degrees. A chance of showers between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 41 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
More: Buncombe burn ban extended due to 'extreme fire danger': what to know
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Buncombe County, Western NC weather: High wind warning, advisory
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