Active Weather Alerts
Air Quality Alert
Issued: 4:02 PM May. 12, 2024 – National Weather Service
...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 8AM CDT MONDAY... * 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 Red or Unhealthy category. * WHERE...All of northeastern and north central Minnesota. * WHEN...Until 8AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Some members of the general public may experience health effects. Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, may experience health effects. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A band of very heavy smoke from wildfires in northeast British Columbia has moved into northern Minnesota and will sweep south across the state on Sunday behind a cold front. The smoke will continue to move across northeastern and north central Minnesota this afternoon with maximum smoke impacts expected Sunday afternoon and evening but will linger overnight. Areas along Lake Superior may have some local clearing from the smoke Sunday afternoon before smoke settles again overnight. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. The general public should limit prolonged or heavy 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. Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors. && 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.
Special Weather Statement
Issued: 3:04 PM May. 12, 2024 – National Weather Service
...NEAR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY FOR NORTHEAST MINNESOTA... Dry conditions and breezy winds will lead to near critical fire weather conditions today. Northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 20-25 mph are forecast for late this morning into early evening. Minimum relative humidity values as low as 15-20 percent are also expected. Together, these conditions could lead to the rapid spread of fires. Critical fire weather conditions may occur this afternoon in far northern Minnesota if the forecast trends towards wind gusts more frequently reaching above 25 mph. Check burning restrictions and fire danger before burning. For more information on burning restrictions for Minnesota, see www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html.
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