Red Flag Warning Issued for Gusty Winds, Low Humidity in Eastern PA

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds and low humidity across eastern Pennsylvania, including Northampton, Lehigh, Bucks, Carbon, Monroe and other counties. The warning is in effect from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.

The NWS warned Thursday that conditions will be favorable for the spread of wildfires due to a combination of winds sustained at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts of up to 30 mph, and relative humidity dropping to as low as 29 percent.

The region has not received substantial rainfall since late September, and currently burn bans are in effect for some areas, including all of Bucks County. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) also recently issued a drought watch for most of eastern Pennsylvania.

Fire and public safety officials have strongly advised against outdoor burning, even in areas that are not under official burn bans. The latest NWS forecast for Allentown includes a chance of rain showers on Sunday night.

This local news story was reported with generative AI assistance.