National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement on Saturday as Saint Mary’s Wilderness fire grows to 375 acres in Augusta County. An increased fire danger for northern and central Virginia remains in effect until noon Sunday.
Relative humidities dropped to around 25 to 35 percent late Saturday morning into the afternoon with sustained west to southwest winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 20 to 30 mph. Due to dry conditions from the lack of rain, there is an increased risk for the spread of wildfires. Please refer to your local burn permitting authorities whether you may burn outdoors. If you do burn outside, use extreme caution.
National Weather Service forecast for Augusta County calls for rain
Sunday: the NWS forecast calls for mostly sunny skies, with a high near 61, west winds 11 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Rain is likely, mainly after 4 a.m. overnight with a 70% chance of precipitation. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday: Rain, mainly before 1 p.m. with a 90% chance of precipitation, according to National Weather Service forecast for Augusta County. High near 56 degrees Monday with southwest winds 5 to 10 mph and gusts as high as 18 mph. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tuesday: Rain likely, mainly after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60% during the day. Rain expected Tuesday night, low around 50 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Wednesday: Rain likely before 1 p.m., then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Virginia fire and smoke map: here
More: Saint Mary’s Wilderness fire grows to 375 acres
Virginia counties and cities under increased fire danger
Including the counties: 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, Northwest Prince William, Central and Southeast Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park
Including the cities: 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, Centreville, 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 remains in effect for Augusta County, rain is on the way