Abstract: An improved welding electrode for producing weld metal having low amounts of hydrogen therein so that hydrogen-assisted cracking in the weld zone is minimized. This is especially beneficial for welding high strength steels having tensile strengths of about 70,000 psi and above. The electrode has a filler wire core and a flux covering of predetermined constituents and low moisture levels such as below about 0.6 percent. The flux is bound together with a binder of hydrolyzed organic silicate (silica) which makes no substantial contribution to the moisture level of the covering and which also makes the covering resistant to hygroscopic moisture pickup before the electrode is used for welding. Thus, this binder minimizes the amount of hydrogen from any moisture in the covering which may be introduced into the weld metal during welding. Additionally, the flux covering contains a source of barium or cesium in an amount effective to reduce the slag/metal reaction temperature during welding.