CONNECTICUT — The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for Connecticut on Monday due to the concerns of an “enhanced risk of wildfire spread.”

For southern Connecticut, the weather service said, “The combination of an anomalously dry airmass and gusty west winds of 20 to 25 mph will result in an enhanced risk of wildfire spread today. Minimum relative humidity values will drop to 30 to 35 percent in the afternoon. These conditions are likely to continue into Tuesday.”

And for northern Connecticut, the weather service said, “An anomalously dry airmass for late March will be over the region Monday. As temperatures rise into the low to mid 50s Monday afternoon, minimum relative humidities will drop near or below 30 percent. This combined with increasing west winds of 20 to 25 mph will result in elevated fire weather concerns for Monday afternoon.”

Much cooler week of weather ahead

The 60s and 70s were great last week, but it’s back to reality for us this week, with daytime highs largely in the 40s for the next seven days. On Monday, we should hit 50 degrees, and then it’s cooler for the remainder of the week.

“Tomorrow will be even cooler, with highs in the mid-40s,” said WFSB 3 TV chief meteorologist Mark Dixon with Mike Slifer. “The breeze remains, making it feel chillier. Spring begins on Tuesday, officially with the vernal equinox at 11:06 pm. Wednesday features the greatest chance for a shower (many communities likely remain dry) as a cold front pushes through the region. Behind it, Thursday is our chilliest day of the week as temperatures only peak between 40 and 45. It will also be our windiest day with gusts over 30 mph possible. Friday, as high pressure briefly builds into the region, the wind will be noticeably calmer. Because of this, we’ll end the week dry and bright with highs between 45 and 50.”

Rainy weekend?

“While there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding timing and amounts, rain chances are likely to increase over the weekend… especially on Saturday. Temperatures remain near average in the upper 40s. By Saturday, March 23, the average high temperature for the Hartford Area will reach 50 degrees. Sunday, we’re forecasting dry and brighter weather,” Dixon and Slifer said. (Read/watch more at WFSB 3 TV).

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Here are the forecast details for southern Connecticut via the National Weather Service:

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. West wind 7 to 13 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. West wind 8 to 16 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Friday Night: A chance of rain before 2am, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Here are the forecast details for northern Connecticut via the National Weather Service:

Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 52. West wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Wednesday: A chance of showers, mainly after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 53. West wind 6 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy, with a northwest wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Northwest wind around 11 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Friday Night: A chance of snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. North wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. North wind 15 to 17 mph.