The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement Saturday as the fire in Saint Mary’s Wilderness in Augusta County grows to 375 acres. The increased fire danger for Northern and Central Virginia remains in effect until Sunday afternoon.
Relative humidity dropped to about 25 to 35 percent late Saturday morning with sustained west to southwest winds of 10 to 25 km/h with gusts up to 30 to 30 km/h. Due to the dry conditions and lack of rain, there is an increased risk of the spread of forest fires. Check with your local licensing authority to determine whether you are allowed to burn outdoors. If you do burn outdoors, be extremely careful.
The National Weather Service forecast for Augusta County calls for rain
Sunday: the NWS forecast calls for mostly sunny skies, with a high near 61 km/h, west winds of 11 to 27 km/h, with gusts up to 50 km/h. Rain is likely, especially after 4am, with a 70% chance of precipitation. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of a centimeter possible.
Monday: Rain, mostly before 1 p.m. with a 90% chance of precipitation, according to the National Weather Service forecast for Augusta County. Highs of 56 degrees on Monday with southwest winds of 5 to 10 mph and gusts up to 17 mph. New precipitation amounts between four and a quarter inches are possible.
Tuesday: Rain likely, especially after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Calm winds becoming southerly around 6 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 60% during the day. Rain expected Tuesday evening, with a low around 50 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Wednesday: Rain likely before 1 p.m., then a chance of rain and snow. Partly cloudy, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Fire and smoke map of Virginia: here
More: The Saint Mary’s Wilderness fire grows to 375 acres
Counties and cities in Virginia are at risk of fire
Counties included: Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick VA, Page, Warren, Clarke, Nelson, Albemarle, Greene, Madison, Rappahannock, Orange, Culpeper, Fairfax, Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria, Northern Fauquier, Southern Fauquier-Western Loudoun , Eastern Loudoun, Northern Virginia Blue Ridge, Central Virginia Blue Ridge, Northwestern Prince William, Central and Southeast Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park
Cities included: Staunton, Waynesboro, Stuarts Draft, Harrisonburg, Strasburg, Woodstock, Mount Jackson, New Market, Winchester, Luray, Shenandoah, Stanley, Front Royal, Berryville, Lovingston, Charlottesville, Stanardsville, Madison, Washington, Orange, Gordonsville, Culpeper, Reston, Herndon, Annandale, Centerville, Chantilly, McLean, Franconia, Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Warrenton, Turnbull, Purcellville, Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Big Meadows, Wintergreen, Haymarket, Dale City, Manassas, Woodbridge, Lake Ridge and Montclair
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: As increased fire danger continues for Augusta County, rain is on the way
