HEAT (95) MELTS RECORD
It has been a record-setting week for heat in the Brainerd area.
Back
The temperature in Brainerd reached 95 degrees Wednesday, smashing the previous high temp of 90 degrees for the day, set in 1989.
Mixing with the high temperature was a humidity reading between 95-100 percent, which equated to heat-index readings of 105-110 degrees in the afternoon. The National Weather Service in Duluth issued a heat advisory for most of the day.
Wednesday's temperature of 95 degrees was preceded by a temperature of 91 degrees on Tuesday and 95 degrees on Monday. Monday's temperature also was a record, eclipsing the previous mark of 91 for that day, set in 1965.
The weather was reminiscent of July 2006, when nine daily records were set, peaking with an all-time record of 102 degree on July 15.
Brainerd Fire Chief Fred Underhill fought off Wednesday's heat by drinking a bottle of water after battling a grass fire on Southeast 28th Street in Brainerd. Temperatures in central Minnesota have been over 90 degrees for the past three day, with the heat index eclipsing 100 degrees for each day. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist » Purchase reprints of this photo.
High temperatures and lack of rain keep the Brainerd area, including all of Cass, Crow Wing and Aitkin counties, under a high fire danger rating. The DNR also reported that burning permits continue to be issued only from the DNR forestry office and only if there's an economic hardship present. Permits for general burning, such as for leaves or other debris, will not be issued.
Temperatures on Thursday will be cooler because of a cold front moving across Minnesota, said Mike Bettwy, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Duluth.
"It should stay in the 80s through the end of the week," Bettwy said. "It will still be warm but not quite to (Wednesday's) level. We shouldn't see anything like that for the next week or so. It'll be a nice change."
Brainerd and DNR firefighters quickly controlled a small grass fire Wednesday on 28th Street in Brainerd. The cause of the fire, which burned less than an acre, wasn't immediately known Wednesday afternoon, but the fire department reported that dry conditions were a factor. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist » Purchase reprints of this photo.
The cold front also will bring a chance of rain and thunderstorms late Wednesday and throughout much of Thursday. The National Weather Service in Duluth predicted a 60 percent chance of rain Thursday afternoon and a 30 percent chance Thursday night. Thursday's high temperatures are expected to be 85-90 degrees.
The forecast for Friday, Saturday and Sunday is mostly sunny with high temperatures of 82-88 degrees and low temperatures of 53-63 degrees.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.