Red Flag warning in effect through Thursday morning

Moderate temperatures, low humidity, but with rain likely next week

You’ve probably noticed the brisk wind whisking the leaves around Sebastopol. If last night wasn’t enough to give you the jitters, the wind and the red flag warning now in effect may do the trick. The red flag warning is in effect for West Sonoma County and the rest of the North Bay from now to Thursday morning.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), “Strong offshore winds are increasing across the higher elevations of the Bay Area with strong winds becoming more widespread across the lower elevations this afternoon. North to northeasterly wind gusts will average between 25 and 50 mph, particularly across the higher terrain of the North Bay Mountains, as well as interior portions of Napa and Sonoma counties. In particular, these areas of Napa and Sonoma counties have an increased likelihood of wind gusts between 60 to 70 mph starting late Tuesday and continuing through the day on Wednesday.”

According to the NWS alert, “Afternoon humidity values will range between the single digits and 25 percent, and overnight humidity recovery will be poor with readings between 20 and 45 percent. The combination of the aforementioned winds and humidity will translate to fires exhibiting a large resistance to control and thereby creating a hazardous and extreme wildfire environment.”

Despite the tinder-dry humidity levels, temperatures are expected to remain in the mid-70s all week, and next week may bring a little welcome rain.