Air Quality Warning for all of Minnesota Sunday through Monday

It’s going to be a smoky Mother’s Day evening. For those planning to get outside, experts recommend checking the air quality first.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality warning for all of Minnesota due to wildfires in Canada. The smoke is a result of numerous large fires in northeastern British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

The warning is in effect until 8 a.m. Monday for northern Minnesota and until noon Monday for southern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities.

Woody Unruh, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said smoke from the Canadian wildfires began moving through Minnesota Sunday morning and will blow across the state behind a cold front.

“The atmosphere basically mixes the smoke from the air and brings it to the surface,” Unruh said. “Because of this, we are now leading to poor air quality as the smoke subsides.”

Particulate matter levels are expected to reach the red air quality index category, a level considered harmful to everyone’s health.

The affected area includes the Twin Cities Metro, Brainerd, Alexandria, Albert Lea, Marshall, Worthington, Rochester, Hinckley, St. Cloud, Winona, Ortonville, Mankato, Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, Roseau and the Upper Sioux, Mille Lacs, Prairie Island, Leech Lake, Red Lake, Grand Portage and Fond du Lac tribal nations.

While vulnerable groups such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, children and older adults may be most affected, the National Weather Service advises everyone to limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time outdoors.

The MPCA expects heavy smoke to arrive in the southern half of the state Sunday afternoon and could continue into Monday.

The air quality should be good again by Wednesday.

The National Weather Service says increased fire weather conditions are expected this afternoon due to low humidity and gusty winds.

Here is the NWS Special Weather Statement for enhanced fire weather conditions Sunday afternoon:

A cold front will break through today. Winds will shift from southwest to northwest this afternoon with gusts around 25 miles per hour. Additionally, the drop in relative humidity to 18 to 25 percent this afternoon will lead to increased fire weather conditions and the potential for rapid fire spread.

MPR News meteorologist Sven Sundgaard contributed to this report.