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Near Critical Fire Weather Today

Precipitation Returns Late this Week

Isolated Severe Storms Possible Wed/Thur

Late Work Week Rain/Storm Chances

Warm and dry weather is in store for today. Relative humidity falling to around 15-25% will result in near-critical fire weather conditions in the Iron Range to Arrowhead and areas north. Fires could spread easily in these conditions this afternoon and evening. Another round of near-critical fire weather is possible Wednesday afternoon.

After a prolonged dry period for much of the Northland, widespread rain chances return at the end of this week. First, a cold front moves through west to to east late Wednesday into Thursday. Then, additional showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop along a stationary front in the Upper Midwest Thursday afternoon through Saturday morning. Isolated severe storms are possible late Wednesday and again Thursday afternoon and evening.

With returning precipitation chances, there is also a Marginal Risk (Level 1/5) for isolated severe storms on Wednesday and Thursday. Late Wednesday, the best chance would be in north-central Minnesota, but this is dependent on the timing of a cold front. Thursday afternoon and evening, the best chance for any severe storms is along the I-35 corridor and east into NW WI. Primary hazards include large hail and damaging wind gusts.

A frontal passage forecast to occur Wednesday night into Thursday brings a few different rounds of possible (40-70% Wednesday night to Thursday then 20-40% into Friday night) non-severe thunderstorms and rain showers. Severe weather is NOT expected, but a few strong thunderstorms cannot be ruled out for north-central Minnesota Wednesday late evening.

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