WASHINGTON COUNTY HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK

 ...Critical fire weather conditions this afternoon across northeast Colorado...  This hazardous weather outlook is for northeast and north central Colorado.  .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight  Critical fire weather conditons are expected this afternoon through early evening over the northeast plains of Colorado with gusty winds up to 45 mph and low humidities. There will also be strong winds over the higher mountains and exposed east slopes with gusts up to 65 mph possible. The wind will diminish in most areas by this evening.  Snow showers will continue over the northern mountains with an additional 1 to 3 inches of snow, mainly north of the interstate 70 corridor. Snow will diminish by this evening.  .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday  Monday, there may be areas of crtically low humidity around the southern foothills and South Park during the afternoon but land managers report fuels to be non-critical in these locations so we have decided not issue any fire weather highlights at this time.  Tuesday is of greatest concern in the period. We expect critically low humidity of 10 to 15 percent widespread across the plains coincident with peak gusts 30 to 35 mph in many areas by afternoon. It's still a bit too soon for fire weather highlights for Tuesday but another Fire Weather Watch covering most or all of the lower elevations continues to seem very likely.  Fire weather conditions should be a little better Wednesday and Thursday, though still elevated across the plains.  Friday, we expect critical fire weather conditions across much of the lower elevations again, especially around the Palmer Divide and adjacent plains east and south. Late Friday into the weekend, there may be widespread showers in the high country and scattered showers on the plains.  .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...  Spotter activation will not be needed.