Smoky skies return this week to Minnesota

It’s a warm summery Monday across Minnesota. Highs are in the 80s across much of our state Monday afternoon.

But our trademark blue skies are tinted white again this week. An elevated smoke layer from those massive Canadian wildfires is widespread across the northern United States. You can see the extent of the smoke layer on the map at the top of this post.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Rapid Refresh model shows smoke lingering above Minnesota this week. Here’s the forecast image for 7 p.m. Tuesday:

Some of that smoke may filter down to ground level Tuesday.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency forecast calls for moderate levels of particulates across Minnesota Tuesday.

Here’s more detail from the latest forecast discussion at MPCA.

Updated Mon, May 22, 2023

Remnants of the heavy smoke that swept across the Northern Plains and Midwest late last week recirculated back into the state over the weekend. This smoke will continue to linger over the state as southerly winds transport it back to the north. This will produce air quality in the Yellow (moderate) category for nearly all of the state today. The lake breeze should keep the air around Duluth and the North Shore clean and air quality in the Green (good) category there. Tomorrow, Yellow AQI is expected statewide as light smoke lingers and the lake breeze is not expected to be a factor. The light smoke and scattered cloud cover may block enough solar radiation to limit ozone formation across the state. Weather-wise, today and tomorrow should be very pleasant days. Temperatures will be in the 70s for most of the state, and far western Minnesota may reach the 80s. Skies will be partly cloudy and winds will be from the south at 10-15 mph.

So we’ll continue to see smoke mostly aloft this week.