Prompts winter weather advisories as cold air moves in Friday night

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Numerous wildfires are burning in northwestern Canada. The large fires are putting out some massive plumes of thick smoke.

The mid and upper-air wind flow has turned from the northwest across southern Canada into Minnesota. That’s pushing the currently elevated smoke layers into Minnesota this week. 

The thickest smoke layers Monday are across northern Minnesota. NASA’s MODIS Terra image (above) from Monday afternoon shows thick smoke across northern Minnesota. 

A wider view shows the extent of the large smoke plume streaming across Canada and into parts of Minnesota Monday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Rapid Refresh model below shows the smoke layer drifting farther south on Tuesday. 

The forecast image below for 9 a.m. Tuesday suggests a thicker smoke layer will be aloft over central and southern Minnesota including the Twin Cities area. 

Most of the smoke is aloft Monday. But air quality forecasts from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency suggest we could see a rise in particulate matter readings into the moderate range Tuesday and Wednesday here on the ground.

We’ll have to keep an eye on air quality index readings this week. The amount of smoke at ground level will depend on how much elevated smoke is able to mix down to the surface.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Canadian wildfires are pumping out smoke. Smoke layers are drifting over Minnesota. 

Wildfire smoke aloft over parts of Minnesota

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