Twin Cities Faces Hazy Skies, 89-Degree Heat Monday Before Storms Arrive

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A smoky weekend across Minnesota is winding down, but air quality concerns and summer heat continue into Monday.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Air Quality Alert, triggered by wildfire smoke drifting into the state, remains in effect until 9 a.m. Monday. Conditions have improved since Saturday, when much of the state saw air quality reach unhealthy levels, especially for sensitive groups.

The worst smoke has cleared, but haze will still linger in parts of the Twin Cities area through Monday afternoon.

Monday Forecast for the Twin Cities:

• High: 89 degrees
• Conditions: Sunny with fewer areas of smoke after 9 a.m.
• Winds: Light in the morning, turning southeast 5 to 10 mph by afternoon

Skies will remain mostly clear Monday night with a low around 73 degrees. Smoke may persist until 8 p.m.

Storms Likely Midweek

Tuesday will bring another hot day near 90 degrees before rain moves in. The National Weather Service is tracking a system that could bring thunderstorms and heavy rainfall to the metro beginning Tuesday evening:

• Tuesday Night: 70 percent chance of storms, low around 67 degrees
• Wednesday: Showers and storms likely, high near 74 degrees
• Thursday: Cooler, with a high near 72 degrees and clearing skies

Health Tips

Even with improving air quality, those in sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and people with asthma or heart disease, should continue to monitor conditions and limit extended outdoor activity.