Osage County will be in a red flag warning that covers much of northeast Kansas for most of the day Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, due to expected high winds and low relative humidity.

The National Weather Service in Topeka issued the red flag warning that is in effect from noon until 9 p.m. Wednesday. The warning area covers Republic, Washington, Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Cloud, Clay, Riley, Pottawatomie, Jackson, Jefferson, Ottawa, Dickinson, Geary, Morris, Wabaunsee, Shawnee, Douglas, Lyon, Osage, and Coffey counties in Kansas.

Wind is forecast to be southerly at 30 to 40 mph during the day, with gusts up to 70 mph expected, and will become westerly by early evening. Humidity could be as low as 15 percent. Isolated thunderstorms are possible across eastern Kansas during the late afternoon.

A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.