Moderate

Relative humidity values will drop to around 20 percent along with northwest winds occasionally gusting up to 25 mph. Given the extremely dry fuels, near critical fire weather conditions are expected from late this morning throughout the afternoon and early evening hours. Any fire that does develop has the potential to quickly spread. For more information on burning restrictions for Minnesota, see www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected. * WHERE...Walton, Bay, and the State Park Beaches of Gulf County. * WHEN...Through this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

A combination of drying surface conditions, very low afternoon relative humidity values, and at times gusty west to southwest winds will result in elevated fire danger conditions across northern lower Michigan today. Sustained winds of 10 to 15 mph with occasional gusts of 20 to 30 mph will be seen over northern Michigan late this morning through this afternoon. Minimum relative humidity values of 20 to 30 percent are expected over northern lower Michigan. These conditions could lead to rapid

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 27. * WHERE...Clare and Osceola Counties. * WHEN...Until 9 AM EDT this morning. * IMPACTS...Cold temperatures could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

Dry conditions and breezy winds will lead to elevated fire weather conditions this afternoon into early evening. West to northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 20 to 25 mph are forecast this afternoon into early evening. These winds combined with relative humidity values of 18 to 25 percent is the source of the elevated fire weather risk. Check burning restrictions and fire danger at the link below before burning. Check burning restrictions and fire danger levels and consult

Dry and windy conditions are expected this afternoon due to minimum afternoon humidity ranging from 20 to 30 percent. Northwesterly winds will gust between 25 and 35 mph. This, combined with dry fuels, will mean that fires that develop may spread quickly and be hard to contain. The time of lowest humidity and therefore greatest concern for elevated fire weather conditions is between 2 PM CDT and 7 PM CDT. Conditions are expected to improve beyond that time.

Dry conditions and breezy winds will lead to near critical fire weather conditions today. West to northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts of 20 to 25 mph are forecast for this afternoon and early evening. Minimum relative humidity values of 15 to 25 percent are also expected. Together, these conditions could lead to the rapid spread of fires. Check burning restrictions and fire danger before burning. For more information on burning restrictions for Minnesota, see

The fog will be the most dense across Alamance, Randolph, Davidson, Chatham and Orange Counties with visibilities less than a half mile. Other locations such as Person, Granville, Lee and Guilford Counties will have visibilities of a mile or less at times. Motorists are urged to slow down, use low beam headlights, and allow extra following distance. Conditions should improve toward and just after daybreak.

Some freezing fog with visibilities down to as low as one quarter mile are being seen in the higher terrain areas of Marquette County early this morning. Therefore, drive with extra caution before sunrise this morning as some surfaces could be icy, and be sure to keep your headlights turned onto low-beam as it could be difficult to see other cars on the roadways.

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 29 expected. * WHERE...A portion of Northern Lower Michigan. * WHEN...Until 9 AM EDT this morning. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.