Heavy snow and difficult travel expected again, heaviest snow in southern Minnesota

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The major weather headline across Minnesota as we move into the weekend centers on our 24th 

A secondary theme is a few more scattered thunderstorms Friday evening, with spotty chances again Saturday. As of this post, scattered thunderstorms are bubbling along across parts of central and southern Minnesota. The cells will drift eastward through Friday evening. 

A few cells will pack local downpours, lightning, thunder, possible hail and gusty winds.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center does not anticipate issuing a severe weather watch, putting the chances at just 20 percent. 

Another batch of Canadian wildfire smoke is drifting through the Upper Midwest. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued a record 24th 

 for Minnesota. The latest set of alerts extends into Saturday or Sunday, depending on your location.  

Here’s the latest forecast discussion from the MPCA. 

The thickest part of the smoke plumes will push through overnight into Saturday. NOAA’s Rapid Refresh near-surface smoke model lays the thickest part of the smoke plume over central and southern Minnesota Saturday. 

The forecast model image below is for noon Saturday. 

Clearing is expected from north to south this weekend. An air quality alert for 

As of this post, air quality readings are in the moderate range in the Twin Cities and much of eastern Minnesota. But thicker smoke at ground level is moving in from the northwest. Air quality in parts of North Dakota is in the unhealthy range. 

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Air quality alert continues into the weekend across Minnesota, Wisconsin

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