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

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 to much of Minnesota. This one is set to run through 6 a.m. Thursday. And there’s now 

 for much of eastern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. 

First our latest air quality alert for Minnesota. 

This one features two different air quality threats. The alert for northern Minnesota favors increased particulate matter readings from more Canadian wildfire smoke.

The smoke plume drifting southward into the Upper Midwest is clearly visible from space on satellite images Tuesday from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

In the south, elevated levels of ozone will push air quality index readings higher. 

Here are details on the latest air quality alert from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency:

I can’t remember the last time I saw an 

I’ve been writing for weeks now about the flash drought taking hold in Minnesota. One consequence of this rapid drought onset is that fire fuels — grasses, marsh vegetation and trees — are drying out quickly.

That means fires can spread rapidly through our area. The fuels buildup index shows elevated fuel levels across our region. 

We’re used to talking about large wildfires over 1,000 acres in the west. But 

large and intense wildfires have also occurred in Minnesota historically

. This kind of weather pattern is favorable for rapidly growing and spreading fires in eastern Minnesota.

Eastern Area Fire Environment Working Group

As watch smoke from Canadian fires drift into Minnesota once again this season a new threat is emerging. The danger of larger fires in eastern Minnesota is rapidly increasing as Minnesota’s flash drought deepens.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Air quality alerts return. New wildfire advisory zone includes Minnesota. 

Air quality alert into Thursday; elevated wildfire risk for eastern MN

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