Blizzard warnings in Northwest Minnesota, winter weather advisories across the state

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We’re watching a few thunderstorms and some wildfire smoke in the Weather Lab on this Friday.

A cool front has triggered scattered strong storms with heavy rainfall across much of central Minnesota Friday afternoon. A flash flood warning is in effect for Cass County including the Walker area until 5 p.m. 

Here’s the bulletin from the National Weather Service Duluth office:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s FV3 model shows the storms in central Minnesota and the chances for a few isolated cells to develop around the greater Twin Cities this evening.

The nine-hour forecast model loop below runs between 3 p.m. Friday and midnight Saturday.

There is a marginal risk for severe storms in much of Minnesota but the setup is not great for widespread severe weather. Any storms that are able to approach the Twin Cities Friday evening are likely to stay below severe limits.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center does not expect to issue a watch zone Friday afternoon.

Canadian wildfire smoke arrived as expected Friday in northwestern Minnesota. Air quality is very unhealthy in Fargo, N.D., and the Red River Valley.

An air quality alert continues until Friday evening in the northwest. (See the map at the top of the post.) 

Here’s the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency alert:

The forecast is for more smoke Saturday in the north but better air quality by Sunday.

Here’s the latest forecast discussion from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency:

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Spotty strong storms around parts of Minnesota Friday. Wildfire smoke northwest.

Stronger storms favor central and northern Minnesota Friday; air quality alert northwest

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