New air quality alert issued for northern Minnesota through Friday
Moderate Canadian wildfire smoke across the north; statewide smoke possible Sunday
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Cue the next air quality alert for northern Minnesota.
A few more wisps of Canadian wildfire smoke will drift across northern Minnesota through Friday.
Our latest air quality alert covers northern Minnesota until 7 p.m. Friday.
Here are the details from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency:
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Air quality alert issued due to wildfire smoke for Thursday, June 5, through Friday, June 6, for northwest, north central, and northeast Minnesota
Air quality is expected to reach the red AQI category in north central, northwest, and northeast Minnesota, which is unhealthy for everyone.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for northwest, north central, and northeast Minnesota. The alert takes effect at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, and runs until 7 p.m. on Friday, June 6. The affected area includes Bemidji, East Grand Forks, International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, Roseau, and the Tribal Nations of Red Lake, Leech Lake, Grand Portage, and Fond du Lac.
An east-to-west band of heavy Canadian wildfire smoke will drift further south into northern Minnesota behind a cold front through the day and evening on Thursday. Most of this smoke will gradually retreat back north into Canada and disperse throughout Friday afternoon, but there is some potential for smoke to linger near the north shore of Lake Superior into the evening.
Red area: Fine particle levels are expected to reach the red air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy everyone, across north central, northwest, and northeast Minnesota. This area includes International Falls, Roseau, and the Tribal Nation of Red Lake. In the red area, everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors.
Orange area: Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across northwest, north central, and northeast Minnesota. This area includes Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, and the Tribal Nations of Red Lake, Leech Lake, Grand Portage, and Fond du Lac. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.
Air quality in southern Minnesota is expected to be in the moderate range through Friday and Saturday.
A more extensive statewide smoke event looks likely as a cold front blows in with northwest winds Sunday.
Scattered showers
A weak weather disturbance will trigger scattered showers across Minnesotan the next few days. We’ll enjoy many dry hours through the weekend but expect at least couple hours of showers each day.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s FV3 model shows scattered showers between Thursday and Saturday evening:
Temperatures will remain pretty stable Friday through the upcoming weekend with highs mostly in the 70s.
Highs in the 80s look likely next week.
