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Tuesday’s smoke front produced the highest air quality index reading for wildfire smoke on record in the state of Minnesota.

I checked with meteorologists at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and they told me Tuesday that the air quality index in Grand Portage at the state’s northeastern tip hit 800 at 2 a.m. Tuesday. That breaks the previous smoke-induced record of 692 in St. Cloud on July 29, 2021.

The AQI of 274 in Blaine Tuesday morning was very high, but not the highest on record for the Twin Cities.

Here’s some of my communication with David Brown at MPCA:

Our air quality improves dramatically Wednesday and Thursday the smoke plume pushes east of Minnesota.

Good to moderate air quality will favor more of Minnesota Wednesday.

Wednesday’s blue skies and milder temperatures will be a welcome sight. 

Temperatures will run in the 70s through the upcoming weekend. Slight rain chances favor Thursday and Saturday nights. There are hints of more wildfire smoke by around Sunday.

Paul Huttner

Author

A record smoke front blew into Minnesota Tuesday. Air quality will improve dramatically Wednesday.

Smoke storm: Highest smoke level ever recorded for Minnesota

Smoke, haze and rain obscure the view of the Minnesota Capitol

Smoke storm: Highest smoke level ever recorded for Minnesota

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