Hazardous air quality forecast for much of Minnesota Thursday as fires grow

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The weekend's quiet weather won't last much longer. Temperatures will warm back into the upper 80s and low 90s Sunday while wildfire smoke lingers across eastern and northeastern Minnesota. By late Sunday night, attention shifts to our next round of potentially strong to severe thunderstorms.

Air quality alert expanded for southeastern Minnesota

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has updated its wildfire smoke alerts for Minnesota. The Air quality alert for northeastern Minnesota has been shortened and will now expire Sunday 7 p.m. as the smoke plume shifts. 

At the same time, a new air quality alert has been issued for southeastern Minnesota from early Sunday through late Monday morning, where smoke is expected to drift in from the east. Periods of unhealthy air quality are possible in both alert areas.

Sunday will be a bit warmer, with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s. A return to south and southwest winds, along with plenty of sunshine, will push temperatures up ahead of increasing storm chances Sunday night.

Attention then turns to our next weather maker as the threat for strong to severe thunderstorms increases across the Upper Midwest.

Storms are expected to develop across the Dakotas Sunday evening before moving into parts of central Minnesota late Sunday night. The Storm Prediction Center has placed much of western and central Minnesota under a level 1 of 5 (marginal) risk for severe weather during this time, with the potential for damaging winds.

By Monday, the focus shifts east. As the cold front advances, eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin will have the greatest chance for severe thunderstorms. 

The SPC has upgraded parts of east-central Minnesota and much of western Wisconsin to a level 2 of 5 (slight) risk, with portions of southeastern Minnesota under a level 3 of 5 (enhanced) risk. Storms Monday afternoon and evening could produce damaging winds, large hail, and locally heavy rainfall.

Behind Monday's cold front, much cooler and less humid air settles into the region. Highs Tuesday through the middle of the week will be in the upper 70s to lower 80s, with overnight lows dropping into the 50s and 60s.

Looking ahead, longer-range forecasts suggest warmer temperatures could begin returning by next weekend as high pressure strengthens once again across the central United States.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Mandy Thalhuber

Author

Temperatures will warm back into the upper 80s and low 90s Sunday while wildfire smoke lingers across eastern and northeastern Minnesota. By late Sunday night, attention shifts to our next round of potentially strong to severe thunderstorms.

Southeastern Minnesota air quality alert issued; stormy forecast ahead

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