A warning about dry brush and increased fire danger has been issued by the National Weather Service office in Burlington, in part because of the beautiful weather in the St. Lawrence Valley.

Warm and dry conditions will be the rule in the North Country for the better part of next week, with a couple of chances for rain late in the week, the NWS reports.

Temperatures will remain above normal – nearing 80 degrees most days – before cooling a bit around Friday.

The NWS says that a prolonged period without significant rain has made for dry conditions, and, considering that most brush fires originate from escaped open burning, they advise refraining from open burning.

In New York, a burn ban remains in effect until May 14.

For the latest forecasts and weather news, visit the NorthCountyNow.com weather page.

The forecast for the St. Lawrence Valley and northwestern Adirondacks:

• Today: Sunny, with a high near 79. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

• Tonight: Clear, with a low around 44. Light and variable wind.

• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 77. Light and variable wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning.

• Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 45. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph after midnight.

• Monday: Sunny, with a high near 79. West wind 7 to 10 mph.

• Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 50. Light southwest wind.

• Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph.

• Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Calm wind.

• Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 3 to 7 mph.

• Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Light and variable wind.

• Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming northeast around 6 mph in the morning.

• Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.

• Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind 6 to 9 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.