NEAR-CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ACROSS PORTIONS OF WESTERN AND SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA MONDAY. .Monday will see a dry cold front sweeping west to east across the region, reaching western Minnesota by the early afternoon both increasing winds and significantly lowering dew points. Minimum humidity values could reach the teens in spots, with low to mid 20s across a large portion of western Minnesota as dew points are expected to drop from near 50 ahead of the front to the low to mid 30s behind the front as highs reach the upper 70s to near 80. Winds will increase out of the northwest behind the front with gusts of 25-30mph possible mainly during the late afternoon to evening in western Minnesota. Winds are generally expected to be weaker east of a line stretching from St. Cloud to Mankato due to the timing of the front, with a later arrival time allowing for a gap between the lowest humidity and strongest winds arriving after sunset. The Fire Weather Watch covers the area most likely to have ideal timing of the frontal passage, allowing for the strongest winds to sync up with the lowest humidity. The main obstacle to achieving Red Flag conditions will be winds not quite reaching that 30mph gust threshold on a frequent enough basis as sustained winds remain in the 15-20mph range. The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued a Fire Weather Watch, which is in effect from Monday morning through Monday evening. * AFFECTED AREA. For Douglas, Pope, Stevens, Swift, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Yellow Medicine, Renville, Redwood, Brown, Watonwan, and Martin counties. * WIND. South shifting northwest 15-20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. * HUMIDITY. As low as 18 percent. * IMPACTS. any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
