National Weather ServiceMinnesotaFire Weather WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Fire Weather Watches in Minnesota
The National Weather Service issued 21 fire weather watches for Minnesota in 2025 and 14 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 16th most of any state. 2026 through September: 28, 146% above the average of 11 for those months in 2008-2025. Yellow Medicine was covered most often (55 times since 2008).
How many fire weather watches does Minnesota get?
Every fire weather watch that covered part of Minnesota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 28 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2024 | 33 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2015 | 34 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2012 | 51 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2008 | 1 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Minnesota get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Minnesota?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Medicine | 55 | 19 | May 15, 2026 |
| Redwood | 50 | 17 | May 15, 2026 |
| Chippewa | 49 | 16 | May 15, 2026 |
| Stevens | 49 | 16 | May 15, 2026 |
| Lac Qui Parle | 48 | 16 | May 15, 2026 |
| Swift | 48 | 16 | May 15, 2026 |
| Brown | 45 | 14 | April 20, 2026 |
| Pope | 44 | 14 | May 15, 2026 |
| Watonwan | 43 | 14 | April 20, 2026 |
| Martin | 41 | 13 | April 20, 2026 |
| Renville | 41 | 12 | May 15, 2026 |
| Traverse | 41 | 15 | May 15, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a fire weather watch?
A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible in the coming days; it often comes before a red flag warning. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Minnesota.