High winds, low humidity bring 'critical' fire danger Tuesday
Fire weather watch across central, south-central Minnesota
It’s brush fire season in Minnesota.
This period of early spring between the snow melt and heavier summer rains means dry brush and grasses from last year can catch fire. High winds and low humidity can spread any fires that get going quickly.
Wind gusts to 30 mph will be widespread again Tuesday. Humidity levels will drop into a range of 15 to 25 percent.
That’s why a fire weather watch has been issued for Tuesday for a good chunk of Minnesota. Here’s more granular detail from the Twin Cities National Weather Service office.
URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
232 PM CDT Mon May 1 2023
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS POSSIBLE TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING ACROSS CENTRAL AND SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...
Strong northwest winds with gusts of 35 mph are expected again Tuesday with humidities dropping to between 15 and 25 percent. Some humidities in the lower teens are possible. Critical fire weather conditions are becoming increasingly likely and any fires that start will have the ability to spread quickly.
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232 PM CDT Mon May 1 2023 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MINNESOTA...
The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued a Fire Weather Watch, which is in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday evening.
* AFFECTED AREA...All of central and south central Minnesota.
* WIND...Northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph.
* HUMIDITY...15 to 25 percent. Even lower humidities are possible.
* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.
High temperatures will gradually warm this week. Highs will reach 60 degrees in most of western Minnesota Tuesday.
Warmer air will build across Minnesota for the rest of this week.
The good news is winds will drop dramatically Wednesday and Thursday. That will lower fire danger considerably by midweek.
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