Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

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Ozone levels are on the rise around most of Minnesota Tuesday. 

The combination of sunlight, warmer temperatures and increased pollutants is accelerating the formation of ground-level ozone. 

Air quality is forecast to reach the unhealthy for all (red) range around the Twin Cities Tuesday afternoon (map above). According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, it’ll be the first time since June 2012 that ozone levels have pushed air quality into the red category. 

Air quality index readings are already in the orange category in much of central Minnesota Tuesday afternoon including parts of the Twin Cities. The AQI reading as of this post (below) at St. Michael just northwest of the Twin Cities is at 150 for ozone. That’s at the top of the unhealthy for sensitive groups range. 

Air quality alert continues through Thursday

 for most of Minnesota continues through 9 p.m. Thursday. Conditions will remain favorable for the formation of ozone. 

Here’s the wording on this week’s alert: 

Here’s the latest forecast discussion from the MPCA:

Light southeast winds will continue to pump in pollutants from Chicago and other Midwest cities this week. That air flow will reinforce pollutants that contribute to ground-level ozone formation this week. 

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Elevated ozone levels around parts of Minnesota this week. 

'Unhealthy': Highest ozone readings in 11 years in parts of Minnesota

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