Wildfire Smoke Continues To Choke Twin Cities: How Long Will It Last?

MINNESOTA — A "long-duration" air quality alert remains in effect across all of Minnesota through 6 p.m. Monday as heavy wildfire smoke from Canada continues to blanket the state.

Officials warn that everyone in Minnesota will likely experience some level of air quality impact, with conditions especially hazardous for people in sensitive groups.

The alert, issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), cites smoke from large wildfires burning in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

These fires are producing enough fine particulate matter to lower visibility, cause irritation, and trigger respiratory issues, especially in children, older adults, and those with heart or lung disease.

Forecast Highlights for Twin Cities

• Monday, June 2: Air Quality Index (AQI) at Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups for particle pollution; Moderate for ozone.
• Tuesday, June 3: Moderate for particle pollution; Good for ozone.
• Wednesday, June 4: Moderate for particle pollution; Good for ozone.
• Thursday, June 5: Good for ozone.

What to Expect

The MPCA warns that this will be a long-lasting event due to ongoing wildfire activity and weather patterns funneling smoke into Minnesota. Surface smoke levels are already high enough to see and smell across many areas.

Though smoke may briefly thin in some places, daily afternoon heating will likely pull more smoke from higher altitudes to the surface, leading to repeat waves of poor air quality each day. Additional rounds of smoke are expected into Wednesday, even with rain and thunderstorms in the forecast.

In western Minnesota, some areas could reach Red/Unhealthy AQI levels, while the eastern half, including the Twin Cities, is more likely to experience Orange/Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups conditions.

Tips to Stay Safe

• Limit strenuous outdoor activity, especially if you're in a sensitive group.
• Keep windows closed at night and use air conditioning or air purifiers if possible.
• Avoid outdoor burning and reduce vehicle trips and idling.

Here's the full NWS forecast from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport:

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4am. Low around 60. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday: Showers, mainly before 2pm. Areas of smoke. High near 68. North northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before 7pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 55. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 78. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind around 5 mph becoming south southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 10 mph.

Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon