Air quality alert for northern Minnesota this weekend
Canadian wildfire smoke likely to bring very unhealthy air far north
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Our latest in a series of air quality alerts has been issued this weekend for much of northern Minnesota. The alert runs from 1 p.m. Saturday through 9 a.m. Monday.
Canadian wildfires are still belching out copious smoke plumes north of Minnesota.
Smoke at ground level looks thickest across the far north. Air quality could reach the purple (very unhealthy) level in the far north.
Here are the details from The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency:
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Air quality is expected to reach the purple AQI category in parts of northwest, north central, and northeast Minnesota, which is very 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 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, and runs until 9 a.m. on Monday, July 21. The affected area includes Brainerd, Hinckley, Bemidji, East Grand Forks, International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, Roseau, and the Tribal Nations of Mille Lacs, Leech Lake, White Earth, Red Lake, Grand Portage, and Fond du Lac.
Heavy surface smoke from Canadian wildfires will drift south into Minnesota over the next several days. This smoke will initially impact far northern Minnesota early Saturday afternoon and then spread south and east through the rest of the day and into the evening. Smoke lingers across the region on Sunday with light winds in place, and then exits back to the north through Monday morning. The highest smoke concentrations are expected to be across far northern Minnesota and the Arrowhead region from Saturday into Sunday.
Fine particle levels are expected to reach the purple air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered very unhealthy for everyone, across north central, northeast, and northwest Minnesota. This area includes International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Roseau, and the Tribal Nations of Red Lake and Grand Portage. In the purple area, everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and stay indoors.
Fine particle levels are expected to reach the red AQI category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone, across north central, northwest, and northeast Minnesota. This area includes Duluth and the Tribal Nations of Leech Lake, Red Lake, and Fond du Lac. In the red area, sensitive groups should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors. Everyone should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.
Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange AQI category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across east central, north central, and northwest Minnesota. This area includes Brainerd, Hinckley, Bemidji, East Grand Forks, and the Tribal Nations of Mille Lacs, Leech Lake, White Earth, and Red Lake. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.
Pretty good weekend ahead
Scattered rain favors northern and southwestern Minnesota overnight into early Saturday.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s High-Resolution Rapid Refresh model shows spotty showers around Minnesota and parts of the Twin Cities overnight. The forecast model loop below runs between 6 p.m. Friday and 4 a.m. Saturday.
There is a risk for severe weather mainly for southwestern Minnesota Friday evening through the overnight hours.
The weekend looks mostly dry with a few clouds Saturday and more sunshine on Sunday. Highs Saturday will run mostly in the70s. Sunday looks brighter and warmer with temperatures approaching 80 degrees.
