Record warm Monday with red flag warnings southwest; late-week moisture possible

Updated 9 a.m.

Temperatures will approach or break records Monday afternoon as we warm to readings 25 to 35 degrees above normal. A couple of systems may bring late week moisture. 

Record warm Monday with elevated fire risk 

Here we go again. More record highs are likely to be set Monday as we soar into the 60s and even low 70s in southern Minnesota. Northern Minnesota will see highs in the 50s. 

Potential records will be set in the Twin Cities (66 in 2015), St. Cloud (62), Brainerd (60) and Rochester (63).

The warm, dry conditions and the addition of wind in western Minnesota will create an elevated fire risk, especially in southwestern Minnesota where red flag warnings are posted for Monday afternoon.

Relative humidity values in the afternoon will drop to as low as 15 to 30 percent in southern and western Minnesota, combined with blustery south winds at 10 to 25 mph in the southwest. 

Overnight lows will drop back into the 40s, 30s and upper 20s for most of the state Monday night.

Tuesday and Wednesday will continue to be warm but gradually cooler.

Hopeful moisture and a cooler pattern

Two systems could bring some needed moisture. Rain showers are likely to develop Wednesday night into Thursday for southern Minnesota. The showers could mix with snow Thursday night as temps drop.

While the heaviest precipitation looks to be in far southern Minnesota and Iowa, measurable rainfall will be welcomed anywhere in the state.

Another system will affect Minnesota Friday into the weekend with potential rain and snow showers as temperatures cool off to normal and even below-normal readings.

The eight to 14-day temperature outlook calls for below-normal temperatures. We could be in for the longest stretch of normal or below-normal temperatures since mid-January.