WICHITA -- Very strong south to southwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 55 mph, dry air, and warm temperatures will create extreme grassland fire danger conditions across much of the region again today into Tuesday evening. Fires have been reported in northern Barton County. A fire in Comanche County has burned more than 41,000 acres. Barber County requested mutual fire assistance from Barton County at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Smoke was visible on radar in several Kansas counties stretching from Barber County to Sedgwick County.

Winds will shift to the northwest behind a cold front and also be strong and gusty this evening. A few showers and storms will be possible across central Kansas late this afternoon with rain changing to a brief period of snow before ending later tonight. A light dusting of snow is possible.