Dry spell across Minnesota; high fire danger up north
Our lovely spring weather comes with a fire risk
It’s always something with Minnesota weather.
We wait through cold and snowy months for beautiful spring weather like this in Minnesota, but our dry sunny weather comes with a fire risk this year.
The past two weeks have been very dry across most of Minnesota. Precipitation totals are running anywhere from 5 to 25 percent of the average across most of the state. You can see the sea of red on the precipitation departure map below:
This dryness combines with a very dry air mass across Minnesota. Dew points across Minnesota in the teens and 20s compare with parts of the southwest deserts.
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Relative humidities today are running in the teens and 20s across Minnesota. At 2 p.m. the relative humidity in Moorhead was just 6 percent.
Critical fire weather statements have been issued by the Duluth and Grand Forks NWS offices.
Including the cities of Crookston, East Grand Forks, Ada, Twin Valley, Halstad, Moorhead, Hallock, Karlstad, Lancaster, Roseau, Warroad, Greenbush, Baudette, Warren, Stephen, Argyle, Newfolden, Middle River, Grygla, Red Lake, Redby, Ponemah, Thief River Falls, Red Lake Falls, Fosston, Fertile, McIntosh, Erskine, Bagley, Clearbrook, Bemidji, Mahnomen, Naytahwaush, Waubun, Alida, Ebro, Lake Itasca, Long Lost Lake, Lower Rice Lake, Roy Lake, Upper Rice Lake, Park Rapids, Detroit Lakes, Wolf Lake, Breckenridge, Fergus Falls, Perham, New York Mills, Parkers Prairie, Henning, Battle Lake, Wadena, Menahga, Elbow Lake, Hoffman, Ashby, Herman, and Barrett
321 AM CDT Wed May 12 2021 ...NEAR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS DUE TO LOW HUMIDITY FOR NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA...
Relative humidity will be 15 to 20 percent this afternoon. South to southwest winds are expected to be 10 to 15 mph within the Red River Valley, and weaker to the east.
Given the extremely dry fuels, near critical fire weather conditions are expected for the afternoon and early evening hours. Check restrictions and the fire danger before burning.
Including the cities of International Falls, Ely, Isabella, Bigfork, Hibbing, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Grand Marais, Walker, Grand Rapids, Pine River, Brainerd, Hill City, Aitkin, Duluth, Pine City, and Hinckley
1136 AM CDT Wed May 12 2021 ...NEAR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS DUE TO LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR NORTHEAST MINNESOTA ON WEDNESDAY...
Relative humidity will range from 12-18 percent across northeast Minnesota on Wednesday away from Lake Superior with southwest winds around 5 to 10 mph. When combined with dry fuels, near critical fire weather conditions are possible. Check restrictions and the fire danger before burning.