WASHINGTON COUNTY HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK

 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH 9 PM SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR SOUTH PARK AND THE SOUTHERN FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS, PALMER DIVIDE AND ADJACENT PLAINS...  This hazardous weather outlook is for northeast and north central Colorado.  .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight  Warming and drying trend continues today with highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s across northeast Colorado. West to northwest winds will increase this afternoon with gusts ranging 20 to 30 mph. These conditions will elevated fire weather conditions this afternoon.  .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday  Expect much warmer weather this weekend, probably lasting through at least the middle of next week. Dry and breezy conditions are likely each afternoon, while Saturday may see the strongest winds with gusts of 30 to 40 mph. This will mean widespread elevated to critical fire weather conditions, especially from Park County and the southern Front Range Foothills across the Palmer Divide area and adjacent plains, where less precipitation fell recently and spring green-up has been slow. We maintained our Fire Weather Watch for these areas from 10 am to 9 pm Saturday.  Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms will be possible in the mountains and northern border area late Saturday into Sunday. Precipitation amounts are expected to be light. A few severe storms bringing a marginal risk of gusts and hail are possible out near our northeast corner, but it currently look like most would stay northeast of the border.  .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...  Spotter activation will not be needed today or tonight.