WASHINGTON COUNTY HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK

 ...WINDY WITH CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOOTHILLS AND PLAINS THIS AFTERNOON... ...FROST LIKELY FOR MOST OF THE PLAINS TONIGHT...  This hazardous weather outlook is for northeast and north central Colorado.  .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight  Warm dry west winds gusting to 30 mph will shift to northwest or north and increase this afternoon behind a cold front, with a few hours of 40 to 50 mph gusts for the plains and mountain valleys, and gusts up to 60 mph possible on the east slopes of the Front Range. This will produce critical fire weather conditions for the plains and foothills, especially in the early afternoon.  Low temperatures near freezing are expected at lower elevations tonight, with frost likely. It will probably be a few degrees warmer in the Denver area, but people who still have sensitive plants outside may wish to protect them.  .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday  Well above normal temperatures are likely Saturday through Monday, with elevated to critical fire weather conditions at times.  A pattern change is expected next week, with cooler, unsettled weather returning to the area by Tuesday or Wednesday.  .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...  Spotter activation will not be needed today or tonight.