Rochester, MN Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM CDT SUNDAY...

* WHAT...The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air Quality
Alert for ozone pollution. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected
to reach the Orange or Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category.

* WHERE...Southern, central, and western Minnesota. This includes
Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona
counties in southeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM CDT Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease
(including asthma), heart disease, children and older adults, and
people who are active outdoors, may experience health effects.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Ground-level ozone is expected to be high Saturday
and Sunday afternoon across much of Minnesota. Mostly sunny skies,
warm temperatures, and low humidity will provide a favorable
environment for two types of pollutants (volatile organic compounds
and nitrogen oxides) to react with sunlight in the air to produce
ground-level ozone. The ozone levels will decrease after sunset
Saturday and be lower Sunday morning before increasing again Sunday
afternoon. Consider moving outdoor activities outside of the
afternoon hours.

* PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Sensitive groups, such as
people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease,
children and older adults, and people who are active outdoors,
should limit prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. 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.

For information on current air quality conditions in your area and
to sign up for daily air quality forecasts and alert notifications by
email, text message, phone, or the EPA AirNow mobile app, visit
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/current-air-
quality-conditions. You can find additional information about health
and air quality at https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water- land-
climate/air-quality-and-health.