40-mph wind gusts bring elevated fire danger

Gusty southwest winds, low humidity and dry vegetation will create an elevated fire danger across the Quad State on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service office in Paducah warns that winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour will be combined with relative humidity in the 25 to 40 percent range. That will make it exceptionally easy for ample amounts of dry vegetation to catch fire from just a spark, and allow fires to spread rapidly.

Avoid any outdoor burning, don't casually toss away cigarette butts or used matches, and be careful with equipment that can throw a spark into nearby weeds.

Widespread rain showers are expected Wednesday night then peaking Thursday morning.  

The wind is also blowing in a major warmup compared to the past few days, with more 60s in store for Friday and Saturday.