Expected

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents. * WHERE...Coastal Broward County and Coastal Miami Dade County. * WHEN...Through Friday morning. * 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.

* WHAT...For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing temperatures as low as 19 expected. For the Freeze Watch, sub-freezing temperatures as low as 14 possible. * WHERE...Eastern Magic Valley, Shoshone/Lava Beds, Arco/Mud Lake Desert, Lower Snake River Plain, and Upper Snake River Plain. * WHEN...For the Freeze Warning, until 10 AM MDT this morning. For the Freeze Watch, from this evening through Saturday morning. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other

Relative humidity values will drop into the low to mid 20 percent range this afternoon across northwest and west central Minnesota. These low humidity values combined with west winds 8 to 18 mph along with dry fuels will mean that any fires that start could spread quickly. The critical fire weather conditions are expected to be between 1 pm and 7 ppm today.

* WHAT...Snow showers and patchy blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations up to three inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. Visibility as low as a quarter mile at times. * WHERE...A portion of northeast Montana. * WHEN...Until noon MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday morning and evening commutes. Severe conditions for newborn livestock. Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road

* WHAT...West winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * WHERE...Fort Peck Lake. * WHEN...Until 1 PM MDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Strong winds and rough waves on area lakes will create hazardous conditions for small craft. Boaters on Fort Peck Lake should use extra caution since strong winds and rough waves can overturn small craft.

Another shot of dry air will work into western Minnesota today, allowing relative humidity values to fall to around 25 percent. Northwesterly winds will be on the lighter side compared to recent days that also posed a fire weather concern. However, western Minnesota largely missed out on Thursday's rainfall and fuels remain dry. The timeframe for the lowest relative humidity values will be between 1pm and 7pm this evening. Check burning restrictions and fire danger levels and consult

At 236 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm near Oaks, moving east at 45 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and dime to penny size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Locations in or near the path include... Siloam Springs... Gentry... Decatur... West Siloam Springs... Colcord... Kansas...

Dry conditions are expected this afternoon due to minimum afternoon humidity ranging from 25 to 30 percent. An incoming high pressure center will keep northwesterly winds from gusting to more than 10 to 15 miles per hour. Still, dry fuels and low humidity could mean that fires that develop may still spread quickly. The time of the lowest humidity and therefore greatest concern for elevated fire weather conditions is between 2 PM CDT through 7 PM

* AFFECTED AREA... Fire weather zones 430, 431, and 437. * WIND... West to southwest winds gusting 25 to 30 mph. * HUMIDITY... Minimum values of 10 to 15 percent. * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended. 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.

Dry conditions will lead to near critical fire weather conditions today. Minimum relative humidity values of 20 to 30 percent are expected. 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 www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html.