Red-flag warning issued for Tuesday

A continuing stretch of dry weather -- scarce rainfall and low humidity -- once again translates to a red-flag warning for brush fires, the National Weather Service said Tuesday.

The Upton-based service issued the warning for Long Island, New York City, the lower Hudson Valley and portions of Westchester County, Connecticut and New Jersey, from noon to 8 p.m.

In addition to the dry conditions, relatively strong northwest winds, 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, also elevate the risk, the service said.

Should a fire start, the wind creates potential for it to spread rapidly. The service said the three factors combine to mean "increased fire spread if ignition occurs."

Long Island will continue to have dry conditions until the weekend, the service said, when there is a 40 to 50 percent chance of rain for Saturday into Sunday night.