There is an increased risk of fire spread Friday afternoon. Relative humidity values are expected to fall to around 30% to 35% across much of the area in the wake of a cold front by the mid to late afternoon hours. This will be combined with west to northwest winds near 15 mph, with gusts of 25 to 30 mph possible, temperatures in the mid to upper 70s, and clearing skies. These conditions will support the 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. Burn restrictions and burn bans are in effect for some areas. Refer to your state's forest fire management agency for more information on burn restrictions in your local area. Relative humidity values will remain low into the weekend, however winds will be much lighter. Burn restrictions may still be in place given the very dry conditions and lack of any recent rainfall.

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a Fire Weather Watch for gusty winds and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Friday afternoon through Friday evening. * AFFECTED AREA. Carbon, Monroe, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Delaware, Philadelphia, Western Chester, Eastern Chester, Western Montgomery, Eastern Montgomery, Upper Bucks and Lower Bucks. * TIMING. From Friday afternoon through Friday evening. * WINDS. West 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY. As low as 28 percent. * TEMPERATURES. In the mid to upper 70s. * IMPACTS. Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

* WHAT. For the first Small Craft Advisory, southwest winds 10 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt expected. For the second Small Craft Advisory, north winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt expected. * WHERE. Chesapeake Bay north of North Beach MD, Patapsco River including Baltimore Harbor, Chester River to Queenstown MD, and Eastern Bay. * WHEN. For the first Small Craft Advisory, until 2 PM EDT Friday. For the second Small Craft Advisory, from 8 PM Friday to 6 AM EDT Saturday. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

* WHAT. Southwest winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 30 kt and seas 3 to 5 ft expected. * WHERE. Coastal waters from Great Egg Inlet to Cape May NJ out 20 nm, Coastal waters from Cape May NJ to Cape Henlopen DE out 20 nm and Coastal waters from Cape Henlopen to Fenwick Island DE out 20 nm. * WHEN. From 6 PM this evening to 2 PM EDT Friday. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

* WHAT. Southwest winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt and choppy waters expected. * WHERE. Delaware Bay waters north of East Point NJ to Slaughter Beach DE and Delaware Bay waters south of East Point NJ to Slaughter Beach DE. * WHEN. From 11 PM this evening to 10 AM EDT Friday. * IMPACTS. Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.