Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Breezy, mild Saturday raises fire weather concerns

Red Flag Warning issued for western Minnesota

Week outlook
Week outlook
NOAA

Breezy winds will accompany a dry cold front on Saturday. The combination of very dry conditions and gusty winds will raise fire weather concerns across the state.

Warm, breezy, and dry Saturday

Our familiar 80-degree temperatures will make a return to central and southern Minnesota on Saturday. Northern Minnesota will stay slightly cooler due to increased cloud cover from the front.

Highs for Saturday
Highs for Saturday
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Ahead of the front, winds will gust from the south at 25-35 mph. Once the front passes, west-northwest winds will take over, bringing in a dry Canadian air mass. Northwestern Minnesota will have a wind advisory for Saturday afternoon, with winds expected to reach 30-40 mph and gusts around 55 mph.

Wind gusts for Saturday through Sunday
Wind gusts for Saturday through Sunday
NOAA via College of DuPage Weather

That, combined with low relative humidity values in the afternoon, will create some critical fire weather conditions again. 

Relative humidity values for Saturday
Relative humidity values for Saturday
NOAA via College of DuPage Weather

On Saturday afternoon, a Fire Weather Watch is in effect for the east-central portions of the state, and a Red Flag Warning for western Minnesota.

National Weather Service hazards-Red Flag Warning
National Weather Service hazards-Red Flag Warning
NOAA via Pivotal Weather

The cold front could bring a few showers to northeastern Minnesota today, but the majority of the rain chances are anticipated to be further east in Wisconsin.

Forecast simulated radar Saturday 1 p.m. through 10 p.m.
Forecast simulated radar Saturday 1 p.m. through 10 p.m.
NOAA via Pivotal Weather

Prolonged dry spell

High pressure will settle in on Sunday for the upcoming work week, bringing sunshine, light winds, and no precipitation in the forecast. Unfortunately, this combination will not improve our drought situation, with 43 percent of the state currently experiencing a moderate drought.

U.S. Drought Monitor for Minnesota
U.S. Drought Monitor for Minnesota.
USDA/UNL