Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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Scattered severe storms are possible in Minnesota Thursday evening, and yet another air quality alert goes into effect for Minnesota Friday morning at 8 a.m. 

A weak frontal boundary will cross Minnesota from west to east Thursday evening. Scattered thunderstorms are likely to form along the frontal zone. A few storms could reach severe limits with the potential to produce large hail and damaging winds. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a slight risk for severe storms for southern Minnesota (map above) from the Twin Cities area south and west. 

Here’s another look at the risk potential Thursday night:

NOAA’s FV3 model is typical of several models that suggest scattered storms moving across Minnesota this evening. The forecast model loop below runs between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday. 

The most-favored window for a few strong to severe storms around the greater Twin Cities area is between about 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. 

Another wave of Canadian wildfire smoke is heading for Minnesota. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued another 

NOAA’s Rapid Refresh smoke model shows a thick plume of smoke likely across Minnesota Friday and Saturday. Here’s the forecast image for near-surface smoke at 4 a.m. Saturday:

Here are the details of the latest air quality alert from the MPCA:

This is the 24th air quality alert issued for Minnesota by the MPCA this year. The previous record for air quality alerts in Minnesota was 21 in 2021. So we’re living through an unprecedented year for wildfire smoke and air quality alerts in Minnesota this year. 

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Another air quality alert for Minnesota Friday and Saturday. 

Severe storms possible Thursday evening; air quality alert Friday, Saturday

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