Prompts winter weather advisories as cold air moves in Friday night

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We’re breathing easier across much of Minnesota. A fresher southwest breeze has pushed the worst of the gunky Canadian wildfire smoke eastward into far eastern Minnesota and Wisconsin. 

Air quality as of Sunday afternoon was in the good range in western Minnesota with moderate to lingering unhealthy pockets in the central and east.

NOAA’s HRRR near-surface smoke output shows one smoky smudge leaving Minnesota as the next wave pushes in from the north Monday. Another wave in the Dakotas Tuesday may push into Minnesota once again. The forecast model loop below runs between 7 p.m. Sunday and 1 p.m. Tuesday.

The air quality forecast for Monday shows the worst of the smoke across northern Minnesota once again. (map at top of post)

Here’s the MPCA air quality forecast discussion updated Sunday.

Some rain has fallen in a few of the Canadian wildfire zones. But active fires will still pump occasional smoke plumes toward Minnesota this upcoming week.

Highs Monday will have the look and feel of mid-July with temperatures into the toasty upper 80s to near 90 degrees. But note the cooler 70s north. Preview of coming attractions.

Monday looks summery but quiet across most of Minnesota. But a frontal system moving in Tuesday will increase thunderstorm coverage across our state. NOAA’s FV3 model shows the focus in central and northern Minnesota spreading gradually southward. The forecast model loop below runs between midnight and 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Cooler air blows in from the north Wednesday and Thursday with highs in the 70s south and 60s north!

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Fresher breezes across Minnesota Sunday. But the next wave of Canadian wildfire smoke arrives Monday.

Breathing easier: Air quality improves but another shot of smoke possible Monday

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