Monday brings both rain and an elevated fire risk

A cold front slicing across Minnesota Monday will bring everything from possible light rain and snow to high winds that are contributing to an elevated fire danger.

Monday’s forecast

Monday is starting off mild, with temperatures across most of the state in the 30s and 40s. Because of a cold front that is already moving through northern Minnesota as of Monday morning, northern Minnesota will not warm much during the day, and will only see highs in the 40s.

The front will pass south through the rest of the state during the day, but central and southern Minnesota will be able to make it into the 50s and 60s before the cooler air moves in. The front has limited moisture, so most of the state will see chances for light rain with a little light snow mixing in for northern Minnesota. There could also be a couple isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon for central and southern parts of the state.

For the Twin Cities, light rain is possible during the afternoon, with the best chance for a shower or storm late in the afternoon.

The front is also bringing high winds along with it, especially in the afternoon; sustained winds could be in the teens and 20s, with wind gusts over 30 or 40 mph.

Because precipitation has been below average for most of the state so far in April, the humidity is low even with the light rain chances. The combination of warm weather, low humidity and high winds will cause an elevated fire risk through Monday afternoon. Because of this, central and southern Minnesota are under a red flag warning.

The week ahead brings a couple more chances for showers and storms. That extended forecast will be updated around 9 a.m.

Programming note

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:48 a.m. Mondays through Fridays.