Hot dry air continues to fan the flames of wildfires in northern Minnesota. Red Flag Warnings remain in effect for most of the northeast region and near-critical conditions continue to be carefully watched across northern Wisconsin.  Highs will again reach well into the 80s and some low 90s as the past three days have scored record breaking highs.

The fire weather risk will finally start to diminish tomorrow with an increase in water vapor and cloud coverage. This will lead to some relief with widespread rain. The chances for precipitation remain elevated through the beginning of the weekend. Some strong to severe thunderstorms are possible on Thursday evening across northwestern Wisconsin and east-central Minnesota.

Today

Sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday

A slight chance of rain between 1pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then showers between 1pm and 4pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. High near 66. Breezy, with an east wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday

Showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday

A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Breezy, with a northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Sunday

Partly sunny, with a high near 55. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Monday

Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Breezy, with an east wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.