Blizzard warnings in Northwest Minnesota, winter weather advisories across the state

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Wildfire smoke is driving another air quality alert in Minnesota.

The smoke plume from Canadian wildfires is widespread across Minnesota and the Upper Midwest this week. A cold front pushing through Thursday will cause sinking air that will bring some of that elevated smoke down to ground level.

Below is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Rapid Refresh model near-surface smoke loop through Thursday. You can see the smoke front sweeping across Minnesota Thursday. 

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued another 

 that includes much of northern Minnesota.  

Here’s the forecast discussion from the MPCA. 

Thursday’s air quality forecast across Minnesota highlights reduced air quality in the western half of the state. 

The cold front should scour out most of the smoke in Minnesota by Friday. Expect 

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Canadian wildfire smoke lingers over Minnesota Thursday. 

NOAA RAP model vertically integrated smoke model 2

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOAA RAP model near surface smoke model 2

Cold front will drive Canadian wildfire smoke to ground level Thursday

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