WWUS84 KMRX 211105 RFWMRX URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Morristown TN 605 AM EST Tue Nov 21 2023 ...Red Flag Warning in effect until noon today... .Gusty south to southeast winds will continue across the mountains of East Tennessee and southwest North Carolina through this morning, then will gradually diminish this afternoon. The winds will be very strong in some of the normal downslope areas of the higher elevations and foothills. Rain has been limited in the downslope areas so far, and the downslope winds will continue to inhibit significant rainfall into the morning hours. With the recent dry conditions, these winds may cause extreme fire behavior and allow fires to spread rapidly. NCZ060-061-TNZ018-041-043-045-047-072-074-087-102-211700- /O.EXT.KMRX.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-231121T1700Z/ Cherokee-Clay-Johnson-Cocke Smoky Mountains-Southeast Greene- Unicoi-Southeast Carter-Blount Smoky Mountains- Sevier Smoky Mountains-Southeast Monroe-East Polk- 605 AM EST Tue Nov 21 2023 ...RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST TODAY FOR STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR THE EAST TENNESSEE MOUNTAINS AND EXTREME SOUTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA... * TIMING...Now through 7 AM EST Tuesday. * WIND...South to southeast winds across the higher elevations and foothills between 25 to 40 mph with gusts to between 50 and 70 mph can be expected. Up to 85 mph wind gusts will be possible in a few locations. * IMPACTS...Any existing fires or fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or are expected to occur shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. && $$