The highest AQ index in Minnesota (as of 8:00 CDT) is currently the Twin Cities area. Particle Pollution (PM2.5) is measuring at 66 (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 Particle Pollution (PM2.5) will be in the Central Minnesota area. It is forecasted to be Moderate, meaning air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
With a pattern continuing to favor seasonable or below normal temperatures into the beginning of next week, as well as chances for showers and storms from a couple passing low pressure systems, ground-level ozone should not be of much concern across Minnesota. However, increased air pollution from fine particles due to Canadian wildfire smoke is a distinct possibility. Already today (Friday) as well as on Saturday, light smoke will most likely result in the Yellow (moderate) air quality index category across portions of northern, central and western Minnesota. Eastern and southern parts of Minnesota have the best chance at remaining Green (good) today and Saturday. Attention turns north of the US/Canadian border on Sunday, as an area of heavy smoke is expected to be moving southeastward from the large wildfires that are present across parts of northern British Columbia and Alberta. Confidence is increasing for this smoke to be of alert-level concentrations, but uncertainty about how far south this impactful smoke will go remains. Weather models are depicting a cold front dropping southeast across southern Canada, and heavy smoke would follow behind, but then the front loses some of its strength as it approaches Minnesota, and eventually sags into northern Minnesota on Monday. A strong cold front with strong sinking air behind it would be more favorable for poor air quality. A separate low pressure system across Minnesota Sunday and Monday will add another layer of complexity, as it brings clouds and rain shower chances. Have preliminarily added Yellow AQI to the forecast on Monday across the northern half of Minnesota for the time being, but this situation will be watched closely for a potential air quality alert. Stay tuned for updates.
| 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 8 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.