Hazy sunshine from Canadian fires

By Laura Betker

A relatively quiet weather weekend is expected across the state, with some summer sunshine and heat to enjoy, but it’s not without a few caveats.

Impacting the entire state through the weekend is an air quality alert issued for the presence of wildfire smoke in the air coming from Central Canada. The alert is in effect through Monday morning.

Smoke will be thickest across northern Minnesota, but anyone impacted by the alert should take caution, especially those taking part in physical activity outdoors. Keeping windows closed and opting for air conditioning can help reduce the effects.

Smoke will create hazy sunshine for us today and combined with a northerly component of the wind, highs are a bit moderated. Temps this afternoon are into the upper 70s to near 80 degrees. This is cooler than we have been since the middle of June!

A few, especially up in cabin country have a small chance for a passing thundershower, although no widespread rain or severe weather is in the forecast. Humidity for Saturday is within the tolerable range. Dew points are expected in the uppers 50s to low 60s.

Wildfire smoke does tend to give us good color for sunsets, so be sure to check that out tonight. Temperatures stay warm overnight, bottoming out in the low to middle 60s.

Sunday is another quiet day under hazy sunshine with highs a bit warmer in the middle to upper 80s.

Again, northern Minnesota stands a small chance of a passing shower. With a wind shift, a southwest breeze will start to usher in cleaner air and clear out wildfire smoke from west to east.

The change in wind direction also means the humidity will be on the rise, although dew points in the middle 60s aren’t anywhere near the oppressive levels we’ve often dealt with this summer so far.

The next chance for widespread rain and thunderstorms is set up to move in from the north Tuesday and Wednesday.