Update: Red Flag Warning Wednesday; Enhanced Threat of Wildfires

Update Wednesday morning: The National Weather Service has upgraded the threat to a Red Flag Warning. There is an "enhanced threat of wildfires" Wednesday morning into Wednesday evening, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. "A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected or occurring. Any fires that start may spread rapidly and become difficult to extinguish." 

Original story: 

The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for Madison, Connecticut and parts of the tri-state area Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening. 

Gusty west winds, low relative humidities and abundant dry fine fuels are contributing to conditions that could contribute to the spread of wildfires, the NWS says. Already, on March 30 in North Madison, a brush fire was reported on Dream Lake. 

West winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph are expected. The relative humidity could be as low as 23 percent, the NWS says. 

"The strongest winds and lowest relative humidities will occur Wednesday afternoon," the NWS said. If ignition does occur, there is the risk of increased fire spread. "A fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for the latest forecasts and possible red flag warnings." 

For the latest forecasts, please check back with the National Weather Service website.

Here is the Madison forecast for the next few days: 

• Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph.
• Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23. Northwest wind 5 to 14 mph.
• Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 49. Southwest wind 11 to 13 mph.
• Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Southwest wind 11 to 18 mph.
• Friday: A chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Friday Night: A chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 52.
• Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.
• Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 52.
• Sunday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
• Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
• Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 58.