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Sunday was remarkably warm as the mercury soared into the 80s for the first time in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. 

Above-average temperatures will continue this week with abundant sunshine. However, red flag warnings remain in effect for parts of northwestern Minnesota due to elevated fire risk. 

Sunday brought the first 80-degree day of the year for the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, and Eau Claire, Wis., as temperatures soared under clear, sunny skies. 

The average first 80-degree day in the Twin Cities typically falls on May 3, so this year’s warmup arrived almost right on schedule.

Another day of unseasonably warm weather is expected Monday, with highs reaching the upper 70s to low 80s under cloudless skies.

Our current weather pattern, along with forecast models, suggests that warmer-than-average temperatures will continue throughout the month of May.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for eight counties in northwest Minnesota from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., because of high winds and low relative humidity. The warning covers Clay, Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau counties.

The fire danger map from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources highlights a high risk of wildfires across northwestern Minnesota. Areas that haven’t had adequate time to green up will have plenty of fuel for those wildfires.

Relative humidity levels are expected to drop into the teens and low 20s across parts of northwestern Minnesota, prompting the red flag warning.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Mandy Thalhuber

Author

Above-average temperatures will continue this week with abundant sunshine. However, red flag warnings remain in effect for parts of northwestern Minnesota due to elevated fire risk. 


Thermometers reach 80 degrees for first time in Twin Cities

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