Red Flag Warning 13, NWS Duluth, MN

401 
WWUS83 KDLH 140320
RFWDLH

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Duluth MN
1020 PM CDT Mon Jul 13 2026


MNZ010>012-141530-
/O.EXP.KDLH.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260714T0300Z/
/O.CON.KDLH.FW.W.0013.260714T1700Z-260715T0200Z/
Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook and Lake-
1020 PM CDT Mon Jul 13 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM CDT
TUESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND VERY WARM
TEMPERATURES FOR FAR NORTHEAST AND FAR NORTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

* WHEN...Tuesday afternoon and evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...In Minnesota, Koochiching, North St. Louis and
  Northern Cook and Lake counties.

* WINDS...Northwest 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 22 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...90 to 95.

* IMPACTS...The rapid spread of any fires may occur due to the
  forecast weather conditions and dry fuels per guidance from
  local land management agencies.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

MNZ018>021-025-026-037-140430-
/O.EXP.KDLH.FW.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260714T0300Z/
North Itasca-Central St. Louis-Southern Lake-Southern Cook-
North Cass-South Itasca-Carlton and South St. Louis-
1020 PM CDT Mon Jul 13 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE
HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST MINNESOTA...

Temperatures will slowly cool and relative humidity slowly recover
tonight. 

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
http://weather.gov/dlh/fire

495 
WWUS83 KDLH 140733
RFWDLH

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Duluth MN
233 AM CDT Tue Jul 14 2026


MNZ010>012-141945-
/O.CON.KDLH.FW.W.0013.260714T1700Z-260715T0200Z/
Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook and Lake-
233 AM CDT Tue Jul 14 2026

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM CDT
THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND VERY WARM
TEMPERATURES FOR FAR NORTHEAST AND FAR NORTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

* WHEN...Tuesday afternoon and evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...In Minnesota, Koochiching, North St. Louis and 
  Northern Cook and Lake.

* WINDS...Northwest 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...Up to 94.

* IMPACTS...The rapid spread of any fires may occur due to the 
  forecast weather conditions and dry fuels per guidance from 
  local land management agencies.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

&&

$$

For more information from the National Weather Service visit
http://weather.gov/dlh/fire

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Duluth MN
1256 PM CDT Mon Jul 13 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Extreme heat continues today across the area with temperatures in
the 90s to near 100F. Another round of excessive heat is likely
Tuesday.

- Critical fire weather is expected again today for portions of
north-central and northeast Minnesota with dry afternoon relative
humidity and gusty southwest winds. Another round of critical fire
weather is possible Tuesday.

- Next best chance for precipitation late this week.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 253 AM CDT Mon Jul 13 2026

We remain trapped under the influence of a stout upper level high
pressure today. With 2AM temperatures still in the 70s across the
Northland (outside of some areas right along Lake Superior on the
North Shore), today will provide little to no relief from the
ongoing heat wave. Guidance continues to point towards today being
the hottest day of the heat event. High temperatures could touch or
even exceed 100F for the Borderlands in Koochiching, northern St.
Louis, and inland Lake/Cook Counties while high temperatures in the
90s are expected across the rest of the Northland. An Extreme Heat
Warning continues through the day for the entire area except Price
County. The Extreme Heat Warning for areas along and south of Hwy 2
in MN and everywhere in NW WI except Price County has been extended
through Tuesday evening due to another very warm night and afternoon
expected in those areas. Once the warning expires for the areas
north of Hwy 2 in MN, a Heat Advisory will likely be needed at least
through Tuesday evening there. In Price County, the Heat Advisory
has been extended to run through at least Tuesday evening. A Heat
Advisory may be needed along our southern tier of counties for
Wednesday. One small note of uncertainty: there has been significant
upwelling of cold water in Lake Superior from Duluth to Two Harbors
due to the southwest winds over the last 24 hours. This could affect
temperatures today very close to the lake, similar to the
extremely tight temperature gradient we have seen further up
the North Shore. For now, have opted to stay on the hotter side
for much of the forecast.

Today will be another day of very concerning fire weather conditions
in northern Minnesota. The extreme heat, along with slightly lower
dewpoints along the International border, should combine to create
afternoon relative humidity values of 20-30% in the borderlands.
This will combine with gusty southwest winds of 10-15mph, gusting as
high as 30mph. There is a 35-40mph low level jet expected to
translate over NE MN today, so some slightly stronger gusts could
occasionally mix down this afternoon. A Red Flag Warning is in
effect for much of north-central and northeast Minnesota today.
Tuesday, another dry day is in store for the Borderlands. Winds
shouldn't be as strong Tuesday, but will be turning with a passing
cold front, gradually becoming northwesterly through the day, and
some gusts of 15-20mph are possible with that dry front. A Fire
Weather Watch is in effect for portions of northern Minnesota for
Tuesday.

Following a mostly dry cold front sagging down into the area Tuesday
afternoon into Wednesday, we should see temperatures back off
slightly, along with dew points falling into the 50s. Afternoon high
temperatures in the 80s are still likely through the week as we stay
on the periphery of upper level ridging. That cold front Tuesday
could bring some increased clouds to the area and some guidance is
suggesting it may be able to pop off some very isolated showers and
thunderstorms in the evening, along the gradient of upper level
capping. However, drier air in the low levels and overall weak
forcing has kept us from adding any PoPs into this time period for
now. The next best chance for any precipitation still looks like the
potential from an upper level shortwave moving across the northern
portions of the area sometime Thursday-Friday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1235 PM CDT Sun Jul 12 2026

For the rest of this afternoon and tonight, dangerously hot and
humid conditions will envelope the Northland. High temperatures
are climbing into the 90s, with some locations approaching
triple digits. An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect for most of
the area, while a Heat Advisory covers Price County. Initial
chances for afternoon showers and thunderstorms have decreased,
with any development expected to stay well to the east of our
region. Overnight lows will remain unseasonably warm in the
upper 60s and 70s.

On Monday, the extreme heat continues with temperatures again
increasing into the 90s and triple digits. This intense heat
will combine with stronger southwest winds gusting up to 20 to
30 mph and low relative humidity values down to 22 percent to
create widespread critical fire weather conditions. A Fire
Weather Watch is in effect for much of northeast Minnesota.
Additionally, marine fog is forecast to linger or return across
Lake Superior, which may necessitate further dense fog
advisories along the North Shore. A dry, weak cool front will
drop from north to south late Monday night into Tuesday morning,
bringing a shift to westerly winds and lower dewpoints that
will begin to relieve the oppressive heat, especially across our
northern areas.

The area will stay locked into this ridge pattern for the
better part of the week. Wednesday will bring a break from the
intense humidity as temperatures settle back into the 80s for
most locations, though areas immediately adjacent to Lake
Superior will experience cooler conditions due to an inland-
moving lake breeze. Dry conditions will generally prevail during
the day on Wednesday.

The next opportunity for precipitation arrives mid-to-late week
as a shortwave atmospheric disturbance rides the ridge into the
Northland. This system will interact with elevated instability
between 2000 and 3000 J/kg and sufficient wind shear of 30 to
40 knots, creating an environment capable of producing strong to
severe storms from Thursday into Friday. However, a strong cap
in the low levels will inhibit surface-based storm development,
meaning elevated thunderstorms will be the primary threat.
Scattered showers and storm chances linger into Saturday, with
daily high temperatures remaining seasonal in the 80s.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 1256 PM CDT Mon Jul 13 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the period. Gusty southwesterly
winds this afternoon will subside overnight. A dry front will start
to work from north to south Tuesday morning with winds turning
northerly to northwesterly behind it. Front will likely move through
INL shortly after daybreak, but may not reach HIB until after
18z.

&&

.MARINE /FOR NEARSHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/...
Issued at 253 AM CDT Mon Jul 13 2026

Strong southwest winds 10-15kts with gusts 20-30 knots are expected
across Western Lake Superior today, with the highest winds along the
North Shore from Grand Marais to Grand Portage, where some localized
gale-force gusts are possible. There has been some notable upwelling
of colder water temperatures in the Twin Ports and North Shore over
the last 24 hours. It is uncertain whether or not this will create a
shallow stable layer for those areas, preventing the strongest gusts
from mixing down. At this point, have aired on the side of stronger
gusts making it to the surface today, and issued a Small Craft
Advisory for most of the nearshore waters, other than Chequamegon
Bay to Saxon Harbor. While most zones should see winds calm through
the evening, advisories remain in effect overnight for the Outer
Apostle Islands and nearshore waters from Grand Marais to Grand
Portage where it will take a little longer for winds and waves to
calm down. Winds largely stay out of the southwest Tuesday, but
should gradually calm down through the day, with a switch to
northwest winds Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. Wednesday,
expecting fairly light, mostly onshore winds. The chance for any
precipitation is low over the next couple of days. With dewpoints
remaining fairly high, it would not be out of the question to see
some locally dense marine fog form at times.

For the open water discussion, refer to the NWS Marquette Area
Forecast Discussion at weather.gov/mqt.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 253 AM CDT Mon Jul 13 2026

Critical fire weather conditions continue for portions of the area
today, with very hot afternoon temperatures, minimum relative
humidity of 20-40%, and a strong southwest wind. The worst
conditions are expected in north-central and northeast Minnesota
where a Red Flag Warning is in effect. Gusts of 15-30mph are
expected this afternoon, and its possible that some areas along the
Canadian Border could see occasional localized gusts up to 35mph. In
that same area, we could see afternoon temperatures exceed 100F and
relative humidity drop to near 20%. A mostly dry cold front is
expected Tuesday, which will minimally reduce some of the very hot
temperatures and lead to a wind switch from southwest to northwest
through the day. That wind switch is expected to translate from
north to south Tuesday, with some gusts of 15-20 mph possible along
the front. Again, afternoon relative humidity of 20-40% possible
Tuesday. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for far northern portions
of the area Tuesday.

At this time, little to no precipitation is expected with that cold
front Tuesday. There is a small (<10%) chance for isolated showers
and thunderstorms, which may  lead to some small pockets of
potential dry lightning. The next best chance of any precipitation
is not until the end of this week, and exact timing, placement, and
rainfall amounts are still uncertain.

See the Fire Weather Forecast product for a more thorough
breakdown of fire weather conditions.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 253 AM CDT Mon Jul 13 2026

Daily high temperatures and daily record warm low temperatures
are forecast over the next few days at select Climate sites in
the Northland. The current temperature record and year it was
observed are in the first column, with the current forecast
temperature in the second column.

Site Identifiers and Names
KDLH: Duluth Area (measured at Duluth Int'l Airport)
KINL: International Falls area (measured at Int'l Falls Airport)
KHIB: Hibbing area (measured at Range Regional Airport)
KBRD: Brainerd area (measured at Brainerd Regional Airport)
KASX: Ashland area (measured at JFK Memorial Airport)

Record High Temperatures:

July 13             Forecast
KINL: 93/1983        99
KHIB: 92/1983        95

July 14:
KDLH: 98/1901        95
KHIB: 95/1983        93
KASX: 94/1980        98

Record High Minimum Temperatures:

July 13:           Forecast
KINL: 69/2013         73
KBRD: 73/1936         71
KHIB: 67/1997         70
KASX: 73/1954         73

July 14:
KDLH: 75/1983         72
KINL: 70/1983         68
KBRD: 72/1901         69
KHIB: 69/1995         69
KASX: 75/1983         73

&&

.DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MN...Red Flag Warning until 10 PM CDT this evening for MNZ010>012-
     018>021-025-026-037.
     Extreme Heat Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for
     MNZ010>012-018>021-026.
     Red Flag Warning from noon to 9 PM CDT Tuesday for MNZ010>012.
     Extreme Heat Warning until 7 PM CDT Tuesday for MNZ025-033>038.
WI...Extreme Heat Warning until 7 PM CDT Tuesday for WIZ001>004-
     006>008.
     Heat Advisory until 9 PM CDT Tuesday for WIZ009.
MARINE...Dense Fog Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for LSZ140>143.
     Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM CDT Tuesday for LSZ140.
     Small Craft Advisory until 9 PM CDT this evening for
     LSZ141>143-146-147.
     Extreme Heat Warning until 9 PM CDT this evening for LSZ142.
     Small Craft Advisory until 7 PM CDT this evening for LSZ144-
     145.
     Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM CDT Tuesday for LSZ150.

&&

UPDATE...Levens
DISCUSSION...KML
AVIATION...BJH
MARINE...Levens
FIRE WEATHER...Levens
CLIMATE...Levens

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Duluth MN
608 AM CDT Mon Jul 13 2026

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>009-141115-
Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook/Northern Lake-
North Itasca-Central St. Louis-Southern Lake/North Shore-
Southern Cook/North Shore-North Cass-South Itasca-South Cass-
Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin-Carlton/South St. Louis-
Pine-Douglas-Bayfield-Ashland-Iron-Burnett-Washburn-Sawyer-Price-
608 AM CDT Mon Jul 13 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast
Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Dangerous heat continues. An Extreme Heat Warning and a Heat
Advisory in effect.

Critical Fire Weather conditions are expected today in north-
central and northeast Minnesota where Red Flag Warnings are in
effect.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

Dangerous heat is forecast through Tuesday. Extreme Heat Warnings
and Heat Advisories are in effect through Tuesday evening. Heat
Advisories may also be needed Tuesday night into Wednesday.

Critical fire weather conditions are possible again Tuesday in
northern Minnesota where a Fire Weather Watch is in effect.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Skywarn spotter activation will not be needed today or tonight.

LSZ121-140>148-150-141115-
Bayfield to Oak Point WI-Grand Portage to Grand Marais MN-
Grand Marais to Taconite Harbor MN-
Taconite Harbor to Silver Bay Harbor MN-
Silver Bay Harbor to Two Harbors MN-Two Harbors to Duluth MN-
Duluth MN to Port Wing WI-Port Wing to Sand Island WI-
Sand Island to Bayfield WI-Oak Point to Saxon Harbor WI-
Outer Apostle Islands Beyond 5 NM from Mainland-
608 AM CDT Mon Jul 13 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Superior
and the Nearshore waters of western Lake Superior.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Areas of marine dense fog are likely through this morning.

Strong southwest winds gusting to 25 knots are expected this
afternoon. Some near gale-force gusts are possible near Grand
Portage, Minnesota. Small Craft Advisories are in effect.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

Some stronger southwest winds and waves of 3 to 5 feet continue
for the Outer Apostle Islands and along the North Shore from
Grand Marais to Grand Portage through Tuesday morning.

Levens

More information may be obtained at the following web address:
http://www.weather.gov/duluth