Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Smoke begins to ease, but air quality alert remains

Showers possible Sunday across portions of the state

Air quality forecast for Saturday night
Air quality forecast for Saturday night
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Air quality alerts remain in effect this weekend, even as smoke conditions begin to improve. Meanwhile, rain chances return Sunday for portions of the state.

Improving air, ongoing alert

Air quality across the state started in the red category Saturday, considered unhealthy for all, but gradual improvement has been noted. By Saturday night, AQI levels had eased into the orange category.

Air quality forecast for Saturday night
Air quality forecast for Saturday night
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

The air quality alert remains in effect until noon Monday, as conditions continue to improve through Sunday.

Air quality alert
Air quality alert until noon Monday.
MPCA

Southerly winds helping to clear wildfire smoke will persist through Saturday night, with temperatures dropping into the low 60s out west and the cooler lower to mid-50s in eastern areas.

Lows for Saturday night
Lows for Saturday night
National Weather Service

A slight disturbance will bring chances for showers and thunderstorms to western Minnesota late Saturday night into Sunday. However, the showers are expected to struggle moving eastward due to lingering high pressure near the Great Lakes. Storm chances spread into northern Minnesota for Sunday.

Forecast precipitation Saturday 7 p.m. to Sunday 7 p.m.
Forecast precipitation Saturday 7 p.m. to Sunday 7 p.m.
NOAA via Pivotal Weather

High temperatures on Sunday will be slightly cooler in western Minnesota due to increased cloud cover and rain chances, with lows in the lower 70s out west. Meanwhile, eastern Minnesota will see warmer temperatures in the upper 70s.

Highs for Sunday
Highs for Sunday
National Weather Service

Dew points will rise into the 60s early next week as summer-like temperatures return, reaching into the 80s.

Dew points increasing on Monday
Dew points increasing on Monday
NOAA via Pivotal Weather

A more active weather pattern will return next week, bringing recurring showers and thunderstorms. While no single day looks like a washout, having an umbrella handy will be useful for the scattered showers that develop.