Red Flag Warning for Eastern Iowa

Forecasters say strong winds will gust up to 50 miles an hour today, while temperatures will again climb well above normal into the 50s and 60s. 

National Weather Service meteorologist Kristy Carter says with the unseasonably warm weather and dry vegetation, open burning is strongly discouraged statewide as fires could quickly get out of control.

Carter says that Red Flag Warning is posted for 96 of the 99 counties. The Iowa Fire Marshal says 15 counties are under burn bans, including Linn County.

A cold front is predicted to arrive Thursday, which Carter says also brings a chance of rain or snow, along with more seasonal high temperatures in the 20s and 30s.

story courtesy of Radio Iowa; image courtesy of NWS