Smoky skies persist, but weekend temperatures stay pleasant

The weekend will bring hazy sunshine along with comfortable temperatures and dew points, as wildfire smoke slowly begins to clear. Rain chances return by Sunday.

Air quality alert extended

This weekend would be absolutely pleasant—if only we didn’t have to breathe the air.

An air quality alert remains in effect through noon Monday, as wildfire smoke continues to blanket the region. The smoke has now spread as far south as Kansas and Missouri, complicating how quickly we can expect clearer skies.

While high pressure moves east, the return flow on its backside will pull southerly winds into Minnesota, dragging that southern smoke right back our way and delaying the cleanout.

Sunday’s air quality is expected to improve slightly, shifting into the orange category, still considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Weekend forecast

Hazy sunshine will help keep temperatures slightly cooler as smoke reflects some of the sun’s rays. Saturday’s highs are expected to warm into the mid to upper 70s, with a chance of reaching 80 degrees in the metro area.

Dew points remain comfortable all weekend in the 50s.

A weaker disturbance will pass through the Northern Plains Sunday into early next week, providing enough lift for isolated showers and thunderstorms. The best chances for precipitation will be in western Minnesota at first, before the system moves eastward early in the workweek, spreading shower chances farther into the region.

Sunday’s temperatures will be similar to Saturday’s, with highs in the 70s. Western Minnesota will be slightly cooler, thanks to increased cloud cover and a chance of isolated showers.

Next week, temperatures will gradually warm into the 80s, accompanied by a slow return of dew points in the 60s. While there will be more chances for showers and thunderstorms throughout the week, they won’t be widespread—giving Minnesota a chance to dry out after a wet July.