Forecast: High wind and fire danger

High wind, warm temperatures and dry air will combine to create high fire danger today across much of Minnesota. Temperatures should reach 90 degrees again today in the southern half of the state. Wind advisories and a red flag warning are posted today.

Winds will be sustained in the 25 to 35 mph range today with gusts as high as 45 mph. Relative humidity may drop into the 10 to 20% range this afternoon making for extreme fire conditions.

Parts of eastern Minnesota are still mired in drought conditions. Another dry week will likely expand and deepen the drought designations when the new U.S. Drought Monitor is issued Thursday.

Temperatures will approach record levels again this afternoon. I expect a high in the lower to mid 90's today which should make a run at the record high of 91 set in 1975.

PH