Storms and smoke: Wind damage gives way to another air quality alert

Meteorological summer is off to a stormy smoky start.

Monday’s squall line produced wind damage reports in western and central Minnesota. Wind over 70 mph and downed trees and power lines are reported at several locations.

Here are some select storms reports from Monday.

• 2 N Morris [Stevens Co, MN] Emergency Mngr reports Tstm Wnd Dmg at 1:55 PM CDT -- Ten to 16 inch diameter trees and various limbs snapped off at a residence north of Morris along Hwy 59. Time estimated based on radar.

• Starbuck [Pope Co, MN] Law Enforcement reports Tstm Wnd Dmg at 2:20 PM CDT -- Trees and power lines reported down in Starbuck. Time estimated based on radar.

• Glenwood [Pope Co, MN] Law Enforcement reports Tstm Wnd Dmg at 2:30 PM CDT -- Trees and power lines reported down in Glenwood. Time estimated based on radar.

• 6 NE De Graff [Swift Co, MN] Mesonet reports Tstm Wnd Gst of M78 MPH at 2:40 PM CDT -- Measured by MNDOT RWIS along Hwy 9.

• 1 W Villard [Pope Co, MN] Law Enforcement reports Tstm Wnd Dmg at 2:35 PM CDT -- Several trees down, including one on a trailer. Time estimated based on radar.

• 3 NNW Forada [Douglas Co, MN] Emergency Mngr reports Tstm Wnd Dmg at 2:30 PM CDT -- Several trees down, including one on a farm building. Time estimated based on radar.

• 1 ENE Olivia [Renville Co, MN] Trained Spotter reports Hail of half dollar size (M1.25 Inch) at 5:12 PM CDT --

• Prinsburg [Kandiyohi Co, MN] Emergency Mngr reports Tstm Wnd Dmg at 4:59 PM CDT -- Report of damage to a metal outbuilding.

• New Ulm [Brown Co, MN] Emergency Mngr reports Tstm Wnd Dmg at 2 Jun, 6:34 PM CDT -- A dead, 2 foot diameter tree downed along 5th North Street. Time estimated from radar.

Air quality alert extended

Sinking winds behind the cold front will transport smoke aloft down to ground level and focus it behind the frontal zone. A thicker smoke plume will cross Minnesota Tuesday. Here’s NOAA’s HRRR smoke output between 7 p.m. Monday and 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Here are the details on the air quality alert for Minnesota.

Air quality is expected to reach the maroon AQI category in northwest Minnesota, which is hazardous for everyone.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for all of Minnesota. The alert runs until noon on Wednesday, June 4. The affected area includes all of Minnesota and the Tribal Nations of Upper Sioux, Mille Lacs, Prairie Island, Leech Lake, Red Lake, Grand Portage, and Fond du Lac.

A band of very heavy ground-level smoke from Canadian wildfires has moved into northwest Minnesota Monday morning behind a cold front. This smoke will continue to follow behind the cold front as it moves southeast, and the smoke will impact northwest and north central Minnesota on Monday. The smoke will reach central and northeast Minnesota on Monday evening and southeast Minnesota early Tuesday morning. Precipitation is expected across northern and central Minnesota Monday afternoon and evening but may not help improve air quality much. Smoke will clear northwest Minnesota early Tuesday morning and air quality will begin to improve from northwest to southeast from Tuesday through Wednesday morning. The most significant impacts on air quality are expected to occur across northwest and north central Minnesota.

Northwest Minnesota: Fine particle levels are expected to reach the maroon air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered hazardous for everyone. This area includes East Grand Forks, Roseau, and the tribal nation of Red Lake. In the maroon area, everyone should avoid any outdoor activity and stay indoors.

Northwest and north central Minnesota: Fine particle levels are expected to reach the purple air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered very unhealthy for everyone. This area includes Brainerd, Bemidji, Moorhead, International Falls, and the tribal nations of Mille Lacs, Leech Lake, and Red Lake. In the purple area, everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and stay indoors.

Central and northeast Minnesota: Fine particle levels are expected to reach the red air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone. This area includes the Twin Cities metro, Alexandria, Albert Lea, Hinckley, St. Cloud, Ortonville, Mankato, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, and the tribal nations of Upper Sioux, Prairie Island, Mille Lacs, Grand Portage, and Fond du Lac. In the red area, sensitive groups should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors. Everyone should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.

Southwest and southeast Minnesota: Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. This area includes Marshall, Worthington, Rochester, and Winona. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.

Smoke should ease Wednesday with a return to sunnier skies.