Scorching stretch ahead: Dangerous heat settles into the Midwest

Summer is turning up the heat across the Upper Midwest, with the hottest stretch of the season arriving Sunday and lasting through Tuesday.

Scorching stretch ahead

An excessive heat warning is now in effect for the Twin Cities metro through Tuesday evening, while a heat advisory has been extended for surrounding areas. If you have outdoor plans over the next few days, be prepared for dangerous heat and very little overnight relief.

Our heat dome will bring temperatures soaring into the 90s, with some triple-digit readings for the Red River Valley area and northern Minnesota. An extreme heat warning is also in effect for the Northland as dangerously hot temperatures are expected through the first half of the week.

While much of Minnesota is preparing for oppressive heat, northern Minnesota is facing another serious concern: critical fire weather conditions.

A red flag warning is in effect from noon until 9 p.m. Sunday across portions of the Arrowhead and northeastern Minnesota, where hot temperatures, low humidity and gusty southwest winds could allow any fire to spread rapidly.

In addition to the red flag warning, burning restrictions are now in place across Cook, Lake and northern St. Louis counties due to the elevated wildfire danger.

Unfortunately, rain chances remain very limited this week. The same high pressure system responsible for the heat will also keep storm systems away from much of Minnesota.

This will likely be the most significant heat event of the summer so far, and the combination of multiple days with temperatures in the 90s, heat index values near 100 degrees and warm nights makes this a stretch to take seriously. Cooler weather isn't expected until later in the week.