‘Unhealthy’ air quality expected in eastern Minnesota through Monday afternoon due to wildfire smoke

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The 10-day heatwave that was broken on Monday was the second-hottest heatwave in Minnesota history — the hottest on record was in 1936. 

Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley said 43 maximum temperature records were tied or set from July 11 to July 20, including near the Canadian border. 

“I’ve never seen before in my lifetime: Kettle Falls up in Voyageurs National Park reported 100 degrees on July 14,” Seeley said. “[The] highest temperature ever measured in that part of the state.”

That kind of heat dried out much of the landscape and is expected to return over the weekend.

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Minnesota’s Northland was not only scorched by wildfires this week, but also intense heat. 

Minnesota's Northland reached its highest temperatures during heatwave

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