The National Weather Service said there is an increased risk for rapid fire spread this afternoon

across portions of eastern Pennsylvania. Minimum relative humidity values will be between 20 and 30 percent combined with south-southeast winds near 10 mph and gusts of 15 to 20 mph.

High temperatures this afternoon will range from the low 60s to near 70. These conditions along with the continued drying of fine fuels could support the rapid spread of any fires that ignite, which

could quickly become difficult to control.

Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. Be sure to properly extinguish or dispose of any potential ignition sources, including smoking materials such as cigarette butts.

Here’s the latest weather forecast:

Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 67. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Tonight: Patchy drizzle after 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday: Patchy drizzle before 8 a.m., then rain after 2 p.m. Patchy fog before 10 a.m. High near 66. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Rain before 5 a.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Low around 32. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Breezy, with a northwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.

Saturday: A chance of rain after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 48.