Thanks to the hot, dry weather this summer in Minnesota, hopes for a vibrant fall colors are fading away. In addition to lawns and crops, the weather conditions could impact trees and plants of all species, causing some of them to change color early.

The National Weather Service says very dry and windy weather will create elevated to critical fire weather conditions across parts of Minnesota. The southern two-thirds of the state is under the most serious wildfire warning. Separately, frost is possible across much of the state Monday night.

A red flag warning is in effect for most of central and southern Minnesota through Tuesday. The combination of dry conditions, low humidity, strong winds, and high temperatures makes wildfires more likely and means they will spread quickly where they do occur.

Low humidity and high winds are prompting the Department of Natural Resources to elevate the fire danger through the Easter weekend. The National Weather Service has also issued a red flag warning for the western portion of the state because of dangerous fire weather conditions.

The National Weather Service says severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail and damaging winds are expected to develop Sunday afternoon in southwest Minnesota and move northeast. The Storm Prediction Center has put parts of east central Minnesota under a moderate risk for severe storms.

Forecasters say gusty winds and hot, dry weather could spark dangerous and fast-moving fires.

Lack of rain, unusually warm temperatures and strong winds have raised the risk of dangerous, out-of-control fires.

Minnesota is sending many of its firefighters and equipment to southwestern states plagued by prolonged dry conditions. The Duluth News Tribune reports most of Minnesota’s forested areas have seen above-normal rainfall. Last summer was a much different story. Saturday marks the one-year anniversary of the Pagami Creek fire east of Ely.