Fire weather watch issued for entire Rio Grande Valley

(Courtesy: National Weather Service in Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley)

With strong, gusty northwesterly 20-foot winds and relative humidity dropping to between 10 to 25% Thursday into Friday, the National Weather Service in Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley has issued a Fire Weather Watch.

The Fire Weather Watch will be in effect from 3 p.m. Thursday until noon Friday for the entire Valley.

According to NWS, any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and outdoor burning is not recommended.

“Erratic wildfire behavior is possible Thursday Night and Friday. This could lead to briefly uncontrolled growth of any wildfire in dry grass/brush to spread to tens of acres in just a few hours,” the NWS reports.

Cigarette smokers are urged to dispose of cigarettes in ashtrays rather than tossing them on the ground or out of the windows of their vehicles.

Temperatures in the Valley will be very hot, nearing or exceeding 100 degrees Wednesday and Thursday prior to the arrival of a cold front Thursday night.

Wednesday temperatures in the upper Valley will be between 99 to 103 degrees, 95 to 99 degrees in the mid Valley and 88 to 95 degrees in the lower Valley.

It will be hotter Thursday with temperatures in the upper Valley 103 to 108 degrees, 102 to 104 degrees in the mid Valley and 93 to 102 degrees in the lower Valley.

The temperatures will cool down Friday with highs expected to be in the upper 70s.