National Weather ServiceMinnesotaRed Flag WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Red Flag Warnings in Minnesota
The National Weather Service issued 25 red flag warnings for Minnesota in 2025 and 22 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 18th most of any state. 2026 through September: 54, 222% above the average of 17 for those months in 2008-2025. Yellow Medicine was covered most often (83 times since 2008).
How many red flag warnings does Minnesota get?
Every red flag warning that covered part of Minnesota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 54 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2024 | 44 |
| 2023 | 23 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2021 | 30 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2016 | 24 |
| 2015 | 44 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2012 | 59 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2009 | 15 |
| 2008 | 6 |
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 | 83 | 25 | May 15, 2026 |
| Redwood | 80 | 23 | May 15, 2026 |
| Chippewa | 71 | 23 | May 15, 2026 |
| Lac Qui Parle | 70 | 24 | May 15, 2026 |
| Swift | 69 | 23 | May 15, 2026 |
| Stevens | 68 | 23 | May 15, 2026 |
| Big Stone | 66 | 22 | May 15, 2026 |
| Brown | 66 | 18 | May 14, 2026 |
| Traverse | 66 | 22 | May 15, 2026 |
| Martin | 65 | 20 | May 14, 2026 |
| Watonwan | 65 | 19 | May 14, 2026 |
| Wilkin | 65 | 24 | May 16, 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.
The latest red flag warnings for Minnesota in AreaZine's record
NWS DuluthWarningJuly 13, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Koochiching, North St. Louis and Northern Cook/Northern Lake, MN
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, July 14, 2026
NWS Grand ForksWarningJuly 13, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Roseau, Lake Of The Woods, East Marshall and 5 more, MN
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, July 13, 2026
NWS DuluthWarningJuly 12, 2026
Red Flag Warning: North Itasca, Central St. Louis, Southern Lake/North Shore and 4 more, MN
Expired 10:00 p.m. CDT, July 13, 2026
NWS DuluthWarningJuly 12, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Koochiching, North St. Louis, Northern Cook/Northern Lake and 2 more, MN
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, July 12, 2026
NWS DuluthWarningJune 13, 2026
Red Flag Warning: North St. Louis, Northern Cook/Northern Lake, Central St. Louis and 1 more, MN
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, June 14, 2026
NWS Grand ForksWarningMay 16, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Wilkin, MN
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, May 16, 2026
NWS Twin Cities/ChanhassenWarningMay 16, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Douglas, Todd, Morrison and 3 more, MN
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, May 16, 2026
NWS DuluthWarningMay 16, 2026
Red Flag Warning: South Cass, Crow Wing, Northern Aitkin and 3 more, MN
Expired 9:00 p.m. CDT, May 16, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a red flag warning?
A red flag warning means critical fire weather is happening or about to happen: strong wind, very low humidity and dry fuels together, so a fire that starts can spread fast. Each office sets the criteria with its land-management partners. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Minnesota.