Storms start to move out of Minnesota, continue for western Wisconsin

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 is in effect for much of Minnesota, including the Twin Cities area, until noon Tuesday. 

A layer of warm air above Minnesota is producing a temperature inversion. Light winds at the surface and the inversion layer are trapping pollutants near ground level.

The result is elevated particulate matter readings across much of Minnesota on Monday. Particulate matter readings around Minnesota have risen into the unhealthy range for sensitive groups at multiple locations including the Twin Cities and Duluth. 

Weather balloons found warm air aloft on Monday — about 50 degrees around 4,000 to 5,000 feet above the Twin Cities. 

That layer of warm air is trapping our air near ground levels with little mixing effect. Here’s more detail from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency:

A weak weather system will bring some light ice to the Twin Cities Tuesday night, and snow to central and northern Minnesota through Wednesday.

Winds will improve mixing later Tuesday. Then, brisk northwest winds behind that system will pump in fresh Canadian air Thursday and improve air quality across Minnesota later this week. 

Paul Huttner

Author

Particulate matter readings around Minnesota have risen into the unhealthy range for sensitive groups at multiple locations including the Twin Cities and Duluth. 

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Warm air above traps pollutants, triggers Minnesota air quality alert

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