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It’s another day of sketchy air quality across much of the Upper Midwest.

Light southerly winds have transported pollution into Minnesota from the south. Wildfire smoke is elevated across Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. A cold front pushing in from the north will push some of that smoke down to ground level Tuesday night.

Air quality readings Tuesday afternoon are in the moderate category across most of Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

But readings could rise into the unhealthy for sensitive groups category at times into Tuesday evening. An 

 remains in effect until 8 p.m for most of central and southern Minnesota, including the greater Twin Cities area. 

Here’s Tuesday’s air quality forecast discussion from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency:

A cold front will push southward through Minnesota Wednesday. The shift to northeast winds will push much of the pollution and smoke toward the southwest and away from Minnesota. 

Air quality should return into the good range across most of eastern Minnesota Wednesday into Thursday.

The wildfire smoke plume aloft will still linger across parts of the Upper Midwest later this week, but near-surface smoke will also be pushed away to the southwest.

Here’s the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’ Rapid Refresh model forecast at 10 p.m. Tuesday evening:

Here’s the forecast for 4 a.m. Thursday:

Expect air quality and visibility to improve as we move through this week. 

Paul Huttner

Author

Ozone and wildfire smoke across Minnesota Tuesday.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, via Twin Cities National Weather Service office

MPCA 

NOAA RAP model near surface smoke model 2

Air quality alert for much of Minnesota and Wisconsin

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