Moderate

* WHAT...West winds around 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. * WHERE...Much of western and north central North Dakota. * WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT /6 PM MDT/ this evening. * IMPACTS...Things left unsecured outside will be blown around. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The strong winds, combined with scattered snow showers could produce on and off brief periods of low visibilities this afternoon. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents. * WHERE...In Alabama, Mobile Coastal and Baldwin Coastal Counties. In Florida, Escambia Coastal, Santa Rosa Coastal and Okaloosa Coastal Counties. * WHEN...Until 6 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the

* WHAT...Snow. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches at lower elevations and 4 to 10 inches in the Sweetgrass Hills. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera Counties, Eastern Toole and Liberty Counties, Northern High Plains, Hill County, and Northern Blaine County. * WHEN...Until noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Blowing snow will reduce visibility at times.

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures 20 to 25 except 25 to 28 Pocatello to Burley and Oakley. * WHERE...Eastern Magic Valley, Shoshone/Lava Beds, Arco/Mud Lake Desert, Lower Snake River Plain, and Upper Snake River Plain. * WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 10 AM MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

* WHAT...Snow occurring. Additional snow accumulations up to two inches. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph. * WHERE...Beartooth Foothills and Red Lodge Foothills. * WHEN...Until 6 PM MDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. This may impact the Friday morning commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow will decrease this afternoon and evening. Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest road conditions, call 5 1 1.

* WHAT...Snow occurring. Additional snow accumulations up to 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph. * WHERE...In Montana, Pryor/Northern Bighorn Mountains. In Wyoming, Northeast Bighorn Mountains. * WHEN...Until 6 PM MDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult on US-14. Recreation in the high country will be impacted by heavy accumulating snow. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow will decrease this afternoon and evening. Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest road conditions, call 5 1 1.

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents. * WHERE...Walton and Bay County Beaches. * WHEN...Until 10 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 24 expected. * WHERE...Sanpete Valley and Eastern Box Elder County. * WHEN...From 10 PM this evening to 9 AM MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. Drain in-ground sprinkler systems and cover above ground pipes.

At 955 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Pine Bluff Arsenal, or 9 miles north of Pine Bluff, moving southeast at 20 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Locations impacted include... Pine Bluff... White Hall... Altheimer... Warbritton... Cottondale... Linwood...

Dry conditions will lead to near critical fire weather conditions today. Minimum relative humidity values of 18 to 30 percent are expected along with northwest winds of 5 to 10 mph and gusts up to 15 mph. These conditions could lead to the rapid spread of fires. Check burning restrictions and fire danger before burning. For more information on burning restrictions for Minnesota, see www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html.