Gusty winds, very dry air and ongoing drought conditions will bring high fire danger to Eastern North Carolina on Sunday, prompting a First Alert Weather Day for parts of the region.

A dry cold front will sweep across the area Sunday afternoon, turning winds from the southwest to the northwest and pulling in a much drier air mass. Inland gusts could reach 25 to 35 mph , while relative humidity drops into the 20 to 25 percent range , especially across Martin, Pitt and Greene counties, where a Fire Weather Watch is in effect. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.

Behind the front, temperatures will fall quickly Sunday night, with lows dropping into the upper 30s inland and mid-40s along the Outer Banks. Monday stays cool and dry, with sunshine and highs in the upper 50s, and fir

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