Get Outside, Minnesota: Smoke-Free Weekend Is Coming

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — After weeks of hazy skies and air quality alerts, Minnesota is finally getting a break, at least for the weekend. Forecasts call for sunshine, clean air, and highs in the 80s across much of the state, with no smoke expected and only slim chances for rain.

With the school year fast approaching and summer weekends running out, this could be one of your best chances to get outside.

Here’s the weekend forecast from the National Weather Service:

• Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 91. South winds 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph.
• Friday Night: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
• Saturday: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the morning. Otherwise, partly sunny with a high near 84. Southwest wind around 10 mph.
• Saturday Night: A 40% chance of showers and storms in the evening. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high near 83. Just a 20% chance of a stray shower or storm. West-southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Another 20% chance of showers or a storm.

Right now, air quality is expected to remain clear through the weekend, a welcome change after weeks of off-and-on haze.

While there is a chance of scattered storms late Friday into Saturday, no widespread severe weather is expected, and Sunday in particular looks about as nice as August gets in Minnesota.