MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Minnesota remains under an air quality alert for the next few days, with smoke from wildfires in Canada spreading across the entire state this weekend.
READ MORE: Minnesota weather: Warm and hazy weekend ahead
Minnesota air quality alert
Big picture view:
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) says smoke from wildfires in Canada is blowing all across the state.
“Another round of heavy surface smoke will enter northwestern Minnesota Saturday morning, and may effectively spread across much of the rest of the state on Saturday,” the MPCA said in a news release sent on Saturday. “There is high confidence that all Minnesotans will experience some level of air quality impact from smoke, and that some may experience significant air quality impacts. Therefore, an air quality alert is in effect for all of Minnesota through 6 p.m. Monday, June 2.”
Smoke concentrations could also decrease in some parts of the state at times, but afternoon heating and atmospheric mixing will likely result in reoccurring rounds of poor air quality each day.
The MPCA adds that additional rounds of heavy surface smoke are possible from Monday into Wednesday next week.
Northwest winds in the forecast show there are still chances for smoke intrusions despite rain and thunderstorm activity anticipated from Tuesday into Wednesday.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency forecast
What’s next:
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency shared the following photos of the air quality forecast for the coming days.
The air quality index (AQI) ratings are listed as:
- Red, meaning unhealthy air for the public and especially unhealthy for sensitive groups.
- Orange, meaning unhealthy air for sensitive groups.
- Yellow, meaning acceptable air quality with the possibility of risk for sensitive groups.
More information from the MPCA can be found here.
The Source: This story uses information from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and past FOX 9 reporting.
