Multiple BWCA fires; Summery weekend; USA regains hottest temp title

Weather Lab Headlines: (Posting from beautiful Grand Marais today)

Grand Marais Harbor

Image Credit: Paul Huttner - MPR News

Growing BWCA fire threat At least 5 separate fires now burning in BWCA

Feels like summer! 80s return to southern Minnesota this weekend

Frosty Friday confirmed: 26 at Embarrass Friday morning - widespread frost up north

Cold front #2: Sweeps south Monday with even colder air

50s & 60s for highs next week?

Smoky sunset near Knife Lake in BWCA

Image Credit: Todd Miller - Grand Marais

BWCA fire threat grows:

These are smoky September days in the BWCA.

At least 5 separate fires are now burning in the BWCA.

The largest is the 500+ acre fire burning near Knife Lake on the USA-Canadian border. Most of the fire is in Canada.

I spoke with Grand Marais resident Todd Miller who was hiking near Knife Lake Thursday and sent me some photos of the smoke plume billowing skyward on the Canadian side of the border.

Image Credit: Todd Miller - Grand Marais

More details from the USFS and Boundary Waters Blogger.

Fort Frances #59/Emerald Lake Fire:

Between Knife Lake and Emerald Lake, approximately 500 acres, and continues to be very active. The fire remains on the Quetico side and a Canadian fire crew is on scene.

A closure has been put in place on the U.S. side to ensure visitor safety Closure:

From the US/Canadian border heading south along the section lines of T65N, R7 W, sections 21 and 28, including all campsites on islands and peninsulas on adjacent lands, the following lakes, portages, and campsites are closed: from the US/Canadian border on Knife Lake to the east end of Swamp Lake, South Arm of Knife Lake, Little Knife Lake, Amoeber Lake, Topaz Lake, Cherry Lake, Hanson Lake, Clam Lake, Lunar Lake, Lake of the Clouds, Rivalry Lake, Gijikiki Lake, Ester Lake, Ottertrack Lake, Rabbit Lake, Ashdick Lake, and Swamp Lake. Portages from South Arm of Knife Lake to Bonnie Lake, South Arm of Knife Lake to Sema Lake, South Arm of Knife Lake to Eddy Lake, Swamp Lake to Saganaga Lake are closed. Northbound travel from Bonnie Lake, across the Bonnie Lake to South Arm Knife Lake portage, and west bound transit through the South Arm Knife Lake to Knife Lake and out of the closure area is allowed. Closure signs will be posted.

Summery "meteorological fall" weekend:

Meteorological fall began September 1st. For record keeping purposes, the months of September, October, & November compose meteorological fall. Leave it to meteorologists to change the seasons to reflect the reality of weather.

This weekend feels more like summer in southern Minnesota...and early "meteorological fall" up north.

Source: Twin Cities NWS

Cold shot #2 arrives Monday:

The next, stronger front sails south Monday. This shot of air will be even colder than last week's opening salvo.

Temps may not climb out of the 50s up north next week...and 60 may be a challenge in the metro by Monday & Tuesday with a "refreshing" northwest wind.

It appears next week's cold shot will have staying power, and represents a true seasonal change. The medium range forecast models suggest highs in the 50s and 60s for the next week...at least.

Source: NOAA CPC

USA...USA...We're #1(again):

I'm not sure we want this title, but we got it.

The USA has reclaimed the title for the world's hottest temperature.

Details from the World Meteorological Organization:

Title of World's Highest Temperature Comes Back to the U.S.

Since 1922, the record for highest temperature recorded at the earth's surface was held at El Azizia, Libya. A temperature of 136.4 degrees was recorded there on September 13, 1922. After review, the World Meteorological Association has deemed this record invalid. Their decision was due to various reasons including problematic instrumentation, a new and inexperienced observer, and several other issues. The record now falls to the American record at Furnace Creek in Death Valley, California. The temperature there was recorded at 134 degrees on July 10, 1913.

Somehow 31 days of 90+ in the metro this summer doesn't seem quite so bad?

PH