High wind warning and an elevated fire risk Wednesday

Wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph are expected throughout the area today as a strong cold front moves through the area. Winds will be gusty both ahead of and behind the front, with the stronger winds expected ahead of the front. Behind the front, much colder and drier air will move into the area and will drop humidity levels into the 35 to 45 percent range over western Missouri and southeast Kansas this afternoon. This will bring some elevated fire weather conditions to that region during the afternoon. The strongest winds will diminish this evening, but will still remain breezy. Temperatures tonight will dip into the low 20s with wind chills into the single digits and teens. Wind chills in the single digits and teens will occur both Thursday and Friday mornings.