Rain-washed air now. Another puff of wildfire smoke for Minnesota this week?
Canadian wildfires have eased since last month. But some blazes still burning could push more smoke into Minnesota this week.
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We’ve enjoyed a break from thick Canadian wildfire smoke across our region the past few weeks. Abundant rainfall in the Canadian wildfire zones has reduced smoke output. But there are still many active fires burning in central Canada.
Monday’s thunderstorms washed smoke from our atmosphere across most of Minnesota. Air quality across Minnesota is mostly good on this Tuesday afternoon. (map at top of post)
But moderate wildfire smoke will filter back into western Minnesota through Wednesday.
By Thursday, moderate wildfire smoke may drift across more of Minnesota. The forecast includes moderate smoke levels for eastern Minnesota including the greater Twin Cities area.
Friday brings another round of widespread showers and thunderstorms to Minnesota. Behind that front we may see another smoke wave drift into northern Minnesota. Here’s the latest forecast discussion from meteorologists at the MPCA.
Forecast discussion
Updated Tue, Jul 8, 2025
KEY MESSAGES: 1) Thunderstorms from Monday evening helped improve air quality across southern MN. More moderate smoke may impact northwest Minnesota Tuesday. 2) Gradual improvement in AQ Wed and Thu, but heavier smoke may move into northern MN Friday. DETAILED DISCUSSION: Thunderstorms Monday evening helped clear lingering smoke across southern MN and air quality will be in the Green (good) category in this region. Air quality may remain in the Yellow (moderate) category across northern MN on Tuesday where widespread moderate smoke will linger. In addition, northerly winds may bring more smoke into northwest MN. Southerly winds across the region Wednesday and Thursday may result in a gradual improvement in air quality. However, wildfires across central Canada are expected to become more intense this week. A cold front will move across the state on Friday and heavier smoke may move into northern MN Friday afternoon.
With fire intensity growing in parts of Canada again, we may not be done with smoky summer episodes just yet.
Stay tuned.
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