Moderately bad air headed to Twin Cities
If the snow and cold aren't enough of a nuisance, the weather is about to deliver a few days with deteriorating air quality in the Twin Cities.
On Tuesday, calm winds will keep pollutants from blowing away, and a temperature inversion will trap them near the ground.
Wednesday, southeasterly winds will bring pollution from the Chicago area.
And on Thursday, moisture in the air will encourage particle production.
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The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency predicts three "moderate" air quality days, and spokesman Sam Brungardt said people who are elderly, very young, or have pre-existing conditions might want to stay inside or take it easy.
"From what we know now, and what's predicted, it doesn't look as though that's going to be a large danger for them," Brungardt said. "We don't expect the air quality to become in anywhere where it's harmful to one's health."
Friday, northwest winds will clear things out.
Last winter the Twin Cities had 21 days with air quality worse than what we're expecting this week.