The preliminary reading of 600.1 is the highest hourly fine particle concentrations from wildfire smoke measured by monitors in Minnesota since 2014, according to the MPCA.
Northern Minnesota will cool off into the 80s Wednesday but temperatures in the 90s continue for central and southern Minnesota through Saturday. Rain chances will be few and far between.
Following the worst day of heat in Boundary Waters history, the air quality from wildfire smoke is worsening. We have your 90s heat forecast plus more on the smoke.
The Particulate Matter 2.5 Index, which measures wildfire smoke, was at 176 in Grand Portage Tuesday morning. That was worse than other spots in southern California and in Colorado where there are active wildfires.
Northwestern Minnesota will be slightly cooler but most of the state will continue to bake in the 90s Tuesday afternoon and through the week. We’ll see just spotty thunder chances late week.
We’re in the low to mid-90s all across Minnesota this week. The Arrowhead on Monday is having one of its hottest days ever recorded with wildfire smoke continuing in the Boundary Waters. There are only a couple of chances of rain through Friday morning.
Every second counts when thunderstorms develop. In a warming climate where lightning is expected to become more frequent, having advance notice before the first bolt strikes can make all the difference.
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