Red flag warning in effect for this afternoon

Low humidity and high winds as a cold front approaches has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning from 1-8 p.m. today.

According to the weather service, the front will produce southwest winds of 15-25 mph with gusts of up to 30 mph, with local gusts of up to 45 mph in wind prone area.

Humidity will drop to 10-15 percent producing critical fire weather conditions.

After the red flag warning expires, tonight will be mostly cloudy and breezy. By Sunday morning, the high temperature will be around 79 degrees and the wind still at 10-20 mph.

There's no sign of any moisture associated with this storm. Temperatures are forecast to climb back into the high 80s by Wednesday.

A wind gust is being blamed for a power outage in Gardnerville at about 4:30 p.m. on Friday.

According to the National Weather Service, a 36 mph gust knocked a tree branch into the power lines.

A witness reported seeing arcing across the lines about that time.

Power was out to 2,200 NV Energy customers, including businesses along Highway 395 between Gilman Avenue and Waterloo Lane were down for about 25 minutes. Both traffic lights were out.