Critical fire weather conditions are expected to develop across much of Minnesota Thursday afternoon as a low pressure system approaches.

Gusty southerly winds, low humidity and drought-stricken land will lead to warning signals and increased fire weather concerns across the state Thursday into Friday.

Airy, mild and dry

Southerly winds will strengthen through Friday before an area of ​​low pressure approaches the surface, with gusts up to 35 to 40 mph Thursday afternoon.

Our relative humidity levels are expected to drop to 20 to 25 percent Thursday afternoon.

Thanks to warm southerly winds, temperatures are expected to rise 10 to 20 degrees above normal through early next week. High temperatures this weekend will reach the 60s and 70s, with central and southern Minnesota reaching near 80 degrees on Sunday.

The driest conditions and strongest winds are expected Thursday through Friday, although elevated fire conditions may persist into early next week.

The drought continues

No significant precipitation is in the forecast until early next week. However, a small disturbance extending through Friday into Saturday will bring light rainfall to northwest and northern Minnesota, with total amounts generally ranging from tenths of an inch to less than a quarter of an inch.

The latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that 72 percent of Minnesota is experiencing moderate drought, while parts of north-central and southwestern Minnesota have seen an increase in severe drought.

Check out our latest Updraft blog More information about drought conditions can be found here.