Air quality alert issued Tuesday through Thursday
Most of Minnesota under the next air quality alert.
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Wildfire smoke has abated across Minnesota. But our next air quality alert has been issued for elevated levels of ozone Tuesday through Thursday.
Higher concentrations of pollutants from Midwest cities like Chicago and Milwaukee are blowing toward Minnesota from the southeast this week.
Sunlight and hotter temperatures will combine to interact with elevated pollution levels to produce higher concentrations of ground-level ozone this week.
The alert covers most of central and southern Minnesota. Here’s the latest wording from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
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The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for central and southern Minn., effective from noon on Tuesday, June 20, through 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 22. The affected area includes central and southern Minn., and the tribal nations of Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, Upper Sioux, and Prairie Island.
Ground-level ozone is expected to be high during the afternoon hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday across central and southern Minn. Sunny skies, warm temperatures, and low humidity will create an environment favorable for two types of pollutants (Volatile Organic Compounds and Nitrogen Oxides) to react in the air to produce ground-level ozone. These pollutants will be transported by southerly winds from the Chicago area, northeast Iowa, and southeast Minn. Ozone will be highest during the afternoon and early evening hours when sunshine is most abundant, and temperatures are highest. Ozone will be low in the morning, late evening, and overnight.
Ozone levels are expected to reach the orange air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across central and southern Minn. The alert area includes the Twin Cities, Brainerd, Alexandria, Albert Lea, Marshall, Worthington, Rochester, Hinckley, St. Cloud, Ortonville, Mankato, and the tribal nations of Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, Upper Sioux, and Prairie Island. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Highs in the 90s this week
High temperatures will run in the 90s from the Twin Cities westward most of this week.
The Twin Cities has hit 90 degrees or warmer 6 times so far this year including Monday. The annual average is 13 days.
Little rain is likely this week. Scattered thunderstorms will move into Minnesota from late Thursday into the upcoming weekend. The best chance for rain in the Twin Cities area is Sunday.
Stay tuned.