Red Flag Warning Saturday for Twin Cities Metro

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Twin Cities and much of central and southern Minnesota on Saturday, citing a dangerous mix of low humidity, gusty southwest winds and very dry ground fuels. From roughly noon to 7 p.m. in the metro, forecasters expect temperatures near 60 degrees, relative humidity of just 15–20%, and wind gusts of 35–45 mph, conditions under which any spark can turn into a fast‑moving grass or brush fire. Parts of southern Minnesota will be under the warning even longer, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Weather Service is blunt that outdoor burning is not recommended and that any fires that do start are likely to spread rapidly. The warm, windy weekend pattern continues Sunday with highs near 70 before cooler, showery weather returns by mid‑week, but Saturday is the critical window for fire risk around the metro.