Elevated fire danger today through Sunday

The fire danger will remain elevated through the weekend as warm/dry/breezy conditions persist. 

Today: Red Flag Warnings in place for southwestern SD. The Black Hills and surrounding plains will also see critical to near-critical conditions yet this afternoon as well: southwest winds from 10-25 mph, RHs dropping below 10%, and temperatures in the 70s/80s are expected. Central and eastern SD: Red Flag Warnings in place for southeastern SD for northwest winds from 20-30 mph, gusting to 40 mph and min RH near 20%. RH recovery will be very poor overnight tonight across western SD (max RH in the 15-25% range).

Friday (tomorrow): Winds out of the NW from 10-20 mph statewide, gusting to 30 mph over north-central SD. Temperatures will range from 75-85, warmest over the east. Minimum RH from 12-25% West River and from 20-35% East River. RH recovery overnight into Saturday will be poor: 25-45% statewide.

 

Saturday: Temperatures in the 70s/80s, southeasterly winds from 10-20 mph with gusts to 30 mph, minimum RH from 15-25% West River and from 30-50% East River. RH recovery overnight into Sunday will be potentially very poor ranging from 20-30% West River and 30-50% East River.

 

Sunday: Cold front moves through early in the day. A few showers are possible along this front but wetting rains are looking less and less likely anywhere in the state. Frontal timing will dictate weather elements but temperatures look to range from 55-75, minimum RH from 20-50%, and strong northwest winds from 15-30 mph, gusting to 40 mph.

 

(Sorry East River for not including graphics for your side of the state)

Windy conditions are expected through next week.