The highest AQ index in Minnesota (as of 9:00 CDT) is currently the West Central Minnesota area. Particle Pollution (PM2.5) is measuring at 58 (Moderate). This means air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Over the next few days, the highest Ozone (OZONE) will be in the Northern Twin Cities Metro area. It is forecasted to be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, meaning members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.
High pressure will build in from the north for the end of the work week. Thursday is mainly sunny and seasonably warm with low humidity. Air quality will peak at Yellow (Moderate), mainly along/south of I-94, due to ozone. Particulate will remain low thanks to a quiet start to the Canada wildfire season. Warmer air will return on Friday, which may cause ozone to reach Orange (USG) in the Twin Cities metro, and well into the Yellow in the rest of the state. The main uncertainty is how much high and mid level clouds make it into central Minnesota, and how much solar radiation will be blocked by the clouds. In southwest Minnesota the clouds should be thick enough to hinder ozone formation, but along the I-94 corridor there should be enough solar radiation making it to the ground to form ozone. There appears to be a greater than 50% chance ozone may reach Orange in the Twin Cities metro and as a result an air quality alert has been issued for Friday afternoon. Over the weekend varying amounts of high and mid level clouds will spread over the state, with some scattered showers and thunderstorms possible in the southwestern and westwern MN. There should be enough cloud cover to keep ozone at Yellow, but if cloud cover is less than forecast ozone has the potential to reach Orange both Saturday and Sunday.
| Range | 0 - 50 | 51 - 100 | 101 - 150 | 151 - 200 | 201 - 300 | 301 - 500 |
| Color | ||||||
| Category | Good | Moderate | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | Unhealthy | Very Unhealthy | Hazardous |
Last Updated 24 minutes ago
Below is a list of counties in Minnesota. Click on any county below and you'll get a list of cities where we provide AQ index forecasts.