According to St. Cloud State University Meteorology Professor Bob Weisman, a red flag warning is out this afternoon to the west of Alexandria.  Despite only having highs in the 50’s, the 20-mile-an-hour winds, low humidity, and dry conditions due to lack of rainfall, will pose a serious risk for spreading wildfire.

Weisman says that unfortunately, the other major weather news this weekend is that the best chance for some major rainfall Saturday will likely miss central Minnesota to our south. While southern Minnesota and northern Iowa could be seeing some substantial rainfall, this storm will likely track far enough to our south to just produce a few scattered showers over us.

However, any storms will likely be just scattered.  Weisman adds that won’t help the rain shortfall over central Minnesota, which is now up to 8.25 inches at the St. Cloud Airport since June 1.  In fact, St. Cloud has now been completely dry since September 21. Central Minnesota continues to be one of the driest parts of the state with the rain shortfall in the 8-10 inch range over Paynesville, Spicer, New London, Elk River, and South Haven.