The National Weather Service in Jackson issued a hazardous weather warning for Eastern Kentucky Wednesday. Many counties within the region are currently at a greater risk for fires. According to forecasters, a combination of gusty winds from the south combined with low relative humidity are the root cause of threatening conditions.
Meteorologist John Felton said winds are expected to reach up to 20 miles per hour in some areas.
“There’s a disturbance, a warm front moving across the area and its leading to an increase in some of the gustiness of the winds combined with that humidity being on the lower side today,” said Felton.
The low relative humidity is expected to remain around a minimum of 30%. Felton added the moisture in the air has been low for a reason.
“The moisture is not going to increase as much as the temperatures warm today, so that will lead to lower humidities particularly over the southeastern sections of Eastern Kentucky,” said Felton.
Felton added the rain Eastern Kentucky received recently has had enough time dissipate to a level which will not have an impact on Wednesday’s hazardous weather. He said areas in the southwest received the least rain and are therefore some of the driest areas in the region.
According to the NWS, the hazardous conditions should subside by Thursday with no threat of fire throughout the rest of the week.