Cleaner skies ahead despite another round of light wildfire smoke

Minnesotans can look forward to a refreshing change as cooler temperatures follow the historic heat wave, along with improved air quality over the next several days.

Breathing easier

Improved air quality is expected over the next couple of days with much of the state returning to good (green) air quality by Wednesday.

For Tuesday, northerly winds will bring another wave of moderate wildfire smoke into Minnesota from fires burning in Canada's Northwest Territories. As a result, air quality is expected to remain in the yellow (moderate) category across much of the state.

Conditions will improve across northern Minnesota during Tuesday afternoon as cleaner air moves into the region. Most of northern Minnesota is expected to see good (green) air quality by later Tuesday afternoon.

One exception remains northeastern Minnesota, where active wildfires and favorable fire weather conditions could lead to increased local smoke production.

The forecast continues to call for moderate (yellow) air quality in that area due to the potential for smoke impacts near active fires.

By Wednesday, persistent northerly winds are expected to push any remaining smoke out of Minnesota. Air quality is forecast to improve statewide, with good (green) conditions possible across the entire state.

Hundreds of wildfires continue to burn across Canada, particularly in the Northwest Territories, Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec.

While the fires remain active, favorable northerly winds have already improved air quality across Minnesota and are expected to keep significant smoke out of the state through midweek.

Forecast near-surface smoke concentrations remain low across Minnesota as northerly winds keep the heaviest wildfire smoke well to the west and north. Only light smoke is expected to drift into parts of the state on Tuesday.