Northern Minnesota is under a new alert until Friday at 7 p.m.

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

Wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada is expected to worsen our air quality, while sunshine and above-normal temperatures will lead us into the weekend.

Raging wildfires in Canada will continue to bring air quality concerns to the state through the upcoming weekend. 

Currently, an air quality alert is in effect for northeastern Minnesota until Friday at 6 p.m. The air quality index is expected to reach the red category, indicating unhealthy conditions for all groups.

Partly cloudy skies are expected Thursday night as low temperatures drop into the lower to mid-50s across the state. Chances of light rain showers will diminish early Thursday evening.

High pressure will bring a dry and warm weather pattern for the end of May and the start of meteorological summer. Expect more sunshine on Friday, with highs warming into the low 80s. Many areas will see temperatures ranging from the upper 70s to low 80s.

Our winds will become more northwesterly on Friday, bringing an increased likelihood of wildfire smoke. 

Another air quality alert is in effect from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday for central, north-central, northwestern, and central Minnesota.

Besides the smoky skies, the weekend looks great with above-average temperatures in the 80s and 90s and plenty of sunshine. There’s a slight chance of isolated showers on Saturday, but nothing that should disrupt outdoor plans.

Next week’s weather pattern turns more active, with showers and thunderstorm chances returning by Tuesday into Wednesday.

Mandy Thalhuber

Author

Wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada is expected to worsen our air quality, while sunshine and above-normal temperatures will lead us into the weekend.


Heat and haze: Air quality concerns and warm temperatures

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

National Weather Service

NOAA via College of DuPage Weather

Forecast precipitation Saturday 7 a.m. to Sunday 7 a.m. 

Heat and haze: Air quality concerns and warm temperatures

Go Deeper.

Like this?