Windy and warmer this afternoon; Red Flag warnings include metro
Our winds will pick up by this afternoon all across Minnesota.
Combine the winds and low humidity levels, and our wildfire danger will increase.
The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag warnings across eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin for 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. today:
Details of the Red Flag warning that includes the Twin Cities metro area:
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URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
342 AM CDT Sun Apr 29 2018
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS LIKELY THIS AFTERNOON ACROSS
EASTERN MINNESOTA AND FAR WESTERN WISCONSIN...
.Dangerous fire weather conditions are likely over much of
eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin this afternoon. South
winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 30 to 35 mph are expected as
humidity levels drop to less than 25 percent. A Red Flag Warning
is in effect for these areas.
Western Minnesota will have stronger winds with gusts around 40
mph, but minimum RH may not drop as low as 25 percent. A Fire
Weather Watch is in effect due to the possibility of lower
humidity values materializing.
MNZ043>045-050>053-059>063-068>070-076>078-084-085-093-WIZ014-
023>026-291800-
/O.UPG.KMPX.FW.A.0002.180429T1800Z-180430T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.FW.W.0002.180429T1800Z-180430T0000Z/
Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Benton-Sherburne-Isanti-Chisago-
Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-Carver-Scott-Dakota-
Le Sueur-Rice-Goodhue-Waseca-Steele-Freeborn-Polk-St. Croix-
Pierce-Dunn-Pepin-
342 AM CDT Sun Apr 29 2018
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 7 PM
CDT THIS EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY...
The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued
a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 1 PM this afternoon
to 7 PM CDT this evening. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in
effect.
* AFFECTED AREA...Eastern Minnesota and far western Wisconsin.
* WIND...South 15 to 20 mph with gusts near 30 mph.
* HUMIDITY...Minimum RH of 18 to 25 percent.
* IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.
The northern Minnesota portion of the Red Flag warning:
URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Duluth MN
414 AM CDT Sun Apr 29 2018
MNZ010-011-018-019-025-026-033>038-WIZ006-291715-
/O.UPG.KDLH.FW.A.0002.180429T1800Z-180430T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KDLH.FW.W.0002.180429T1800Z-180430T0000Z/
Koochiching-North St. Louis-North Itasca-Central St. Louis-
North Cass-South Itasca-South Cass-Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-
South Aitkin-Carlton/South St. Louis-Pine-Burnett-
414 AM CDT Sun Apr 29 2018
...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 7 PM
CDT THIS EVENING FOR LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES AND GUSTY WINDS...
The National Weather Service in Duluth has issued a Red Flag
Warning for low relative humidities and gusty winds, which is in
effect from 1 PM this afternoon to 7 PM CDT this evening. The Fire
Weather Watch is no longer in effect.
* Affected Area...In Minnesota, Koochiching, North St. Louis,
North Itasca, Central St. Louis, North Cass, South Itasca,
South Cass, Crow Wing, Northern Aitkin, South Aitkin,
Carlton/South St. Louis and Pine. In Wisconsin, Burnett.
* Winds...South 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
* Relative Humidity...As low as 20 percent.
* Temperatures...In the mid 60s.
* Impacts...Any fires which develop may spread quickly through
dry vegetation and quickly grow out of control.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.
A complete Updraft post that includes river level updates and our thunderstorm chances late Sunday night and Monday will be available before 9 a.m. today.
Programming note
You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.