The National Weather Service warns of an increased risk for rapid fire spread this afternoon across portions of New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. Minimum relative humidity values will be around 25 to 35% combined with southerly winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts near 20 mph.

High temperatures will be in the mid 70s to near 80 degrees. 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 is the latest forecast:

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight: A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11 p.m. Low around 58. South wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 1 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. High near 74. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Scattered showers, mainly before 7 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 72.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 69.