Headline:
Air Quality Alert issued July 15 at 3:50PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Event:
Air Quality Alert
Urgency:
Unknown
Effective:
July 15, 2026 - 1:50pm
Expires:
July 17, 2026 - 9:00am
Description:
* WHAT...The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air
Quality Alert for fine particles pollution. The Air Quality Index
(AQI) is expected to reach the Purple or Very Unhealthy category.
* WHERE...Portions of Central Minnesota
* WHEN...Until 11 AM CDT Friday.
* IMPACTS...Everyone is more likely to be affected by wildfire
smoke in these concentrations. Minor trace amounts of ashfall are
possible.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Dense smoke is being pulled by a quasi-
stationary front across central Minnesota. Smoke will arrive
along the I-94 corridor Wednesday evening. The smoke will have a
rapid onset with visibility rapidly declining. There will be a
sharp gradient of smoke, with some areas of the same counties
experiencing Good/Green air quality while other experience
Purple/Very Unhealthy for All conditions as the front slowly
moves south. Conditions will gradually improve by Friday morning
as the front retreats northward.
Instruction:
Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should
remain indoors and keep activity levels low. The general public
should avoid all physical activities outdoors.
Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution,
such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning
devices. Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as
possible.
Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting
indoors.
Area Description:
Douglas; Todd; Stearns; Sherburne; Wright; Hennepin; Anoka; Ramsey; Washington
Forcast Office:
NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Sender: