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

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Ouch! Did you feel the incredibly intense humidity on Sunday? Not only was it the hottest day in four years at the Minneapolis and St. Paul Airport, but we had late night dew points of 81 degrees there, as well. 

That was only one degree away from the all-time record dew point at MSP but that’s not as impressive as the other statistic. Prior to Monday morning, MSP had only recorded 28 total hours with a dew point over 80 degrees. On Monday alone, we were in that range for six straight hours. 

Our friend and MPR News meteorologist Mandy Thalhuber 

explains what this corn sweat is all about.

If you’re hoping for relief in the humidity, you’re very much in luck. A weak frontal passage Monday afternoon does not bring us rain but it does drop dew points by 15 degrees to 23 degrees by the time you head home from work. Don’t get us wrong; it will still be hot, with air temperatures around 90 degrees but we will just will not be as swampy. 

The heat ridge over the Rockies and Upper Midwest is beginning to slowly break down a few miles above our heads in Minnesota. There is not much of a noticeable sign on the ground, yet, but temps do fall a little bit starting Tuesday. 

Tuesday through Thursday should be in the lower 90s across much of the state but most days start out around 70.

Thursday is when the broader heat dome (our third big one of 2026) begins to buckle. The northwest flow centers over Minnesota, and a front drags through our best widespread chance of rains this week. 

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Ben Cathey

Author

The humidity will decrease later Monday but we’ll stay near 90 in the coming days. 

The ultra-humid feel will crumble Monday but this week will stay hot

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox