Air quality alert in effect for western and central Minnesota, Twin Cities
Air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups
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An air quality alert is currently in effect for western and central Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metro area, due to elevated levels of ground-level ozone.
Air quality alert
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert until 9 p.m. Monday night.
Because of the unusually warm temperatures, abundant sunshine and low humidity, concentrations of the pollutant ground-level ozone are expected to rise significantly. The air quality index is expected to reach the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range, indicated by the color orange on the map below.
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High concentrations of ground-level ozone are forecast for Monday afternoon across western and central Minnesota.
Similar weather conditions are expected on Tuesday, with ozone levels likely reaching the orange (unhealthy for sensitive groups) category across the western two-thirds of the state, extending as far east as the Twin Cities metro area.
Critical fire weather conditions continue
A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 9 p.m. Monday due to continued fire weather conditions, with low relative humidity in the teens and 20s and southerly winds persisting between 10-20 mph.
The fire weather risk from Monday afternoon into Monday night remains significant to extreme across the Twin Cities metro area. Any fires that develop will likely spread quickly under these conditions. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.
