Flooding, wildfires, strong winds: Weather advisories to watch out for across Arizona

April is here and so are wind advisories, flood warnings, wildfires and red flag warnings — all on the same day.

According to the National Weather Service, most of these warnings will be in effect until Monday evening, but flood watches in Maricopa County extend through the work week.

As snowfall and freeze watch was called for parts of Northern Arizona, and just days after the last winter weather advisory there, Arizona's first significant wildfire of the year has broken out in Yavapai County.

It started on Sunday and is still burning north of Clarkdale off Tuzigoot Road. No structures are currently threatened. The fire is near the Tavasci Marsh area next to the Tuzigoot National Monument. Fire officials said they are worried about high winds in the forecast for Monday. The U.S. Forest Service has taken over command of the fire.

At around 1:20 p.m. on Monday, Coconino National Forest said that the fire had grown to 100 acres, as winds continued to pick up. Tuzigoot National Monument and all trail access leading into Tavasci Marsh are closed to the public until further notice.

Fire officials said that smoke may be visible in the communities of Clarkdale and Cottonwood. Tuzigoot National Monument is receiving interagency support from two Type Two suppression modules and local resources from Verde Valley Fire.

According to weather service, a wind advisory means that sustained wind speeds of between 30 and 40 mph, or wind gusts of between 40 and 58 mph, are expected. Winds this strong can make driving difficult.

In addition, strong winds over desert areas could result in briefly lowered visibilities to well under a mile at times in blowing dust or blowing sand. Use extra caution.

Strong southwest winds are already occurring on Monday as of 10:40 a.m. Stronger winds are expected Monday afternoon into Monday evening. Practice extra caution driving, especially in and near areas of blowing dust from east of Flagstaff along Interstate 40 and northeast towards the Navajo Nation.

Areas with wind advisories in effect:

• Parker Valley, Kofa, Yuma, Central La Paz County, Southeast Yuma County and Gila River Valley: Wind advisory from 8 a.m. through 11 p.m. Monday

• Aguila Valley, Apache Junction, Buckeye, Avondale, Cave Creek, Central Phoenix, Deer Valley, East Valley, Fountain Hills, Gila Bend, North Phoenix, Pinal County, Northwest Valley, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Sonoran Desert National Monument, South Mountain, Ahwatukee, Queen Creek, Tonopah Desert: Wind advisory from 2 p.m. through 11 p.m. Monday

• Dripping Springs, Globe, Mazatzal Mountains, New River Mesa, Pinal, Rio Verde, San Carlos, Southeast Gila County, Superior, Tonto Basin: Wind advisory from 2 p.m. through 11 p.m. Monday

• Coconino Plateau, Yavapai County and Northern Gila County: Wind advisory from 8 a.m. through 11 p.m. Monday

Areas with high wind warnings in effect:

• The Kaibab Plateau, Navajo Nation, White Mountains and areas along and north of the Mogollon Rim: High wind warning from 8 a.m. Monday through 11 p.m. Monday

The weather service urges people to secure loose objects that could be blown around or damaged by the wind.

According to the weather service, a red flag warning means critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are expected to develop. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and dry vegetation could create the potential for rapid fire growth.

Areas with red flag warnings in effect:

• Eastern Pinal and Pima Counties: Red flag warning from 9 a.m. through 9 p.m. Monday

Flood warnings have been sent on Monday morning as the upstream dam release continues to flood. This effect will remain until late Friday afternoon.

Areas with flood warnings in effect:

• Maricopa County: Flood warning until 5 p.m. Friday

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona sees wind, flood, fire warnings to kick of April: What to know