![Map showing active air quality alert in the red category for the southern half of Minnesota.](/sites/default/files/styles/narrow_layout_half_405w/public/aqi-alert-map-20240513.png?itok=HRUM3BB3)
Air quality is expected to reach the red AQI category across southern Minnesota, which is unhealthy for everyone.
The air quality alert issued by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) continues this morning for southern Minnesota. The alert runs until noon on Monday, May 13. The affected area includes the Twin Cities metro, Albert Lea, Marshall, Worthington, Rochester, St. Cloud, Winona, Ortonville, Mankato, and the tribal nations of Upper Sioux and Prairie Island.
A band of very heavy smoke from wildfires in northeast British Columbia swept across the entire state of Minnesota on Sunday. Smoke has cleared the northern half of the state Monday morning and air quality has improved below alert conditions there. However, smoke will linger over southern Minnesota on Monday as northerly winds become light during the day. Portions of central Minnesota between Alexandria and the Twin Cities can expect rapid improvement in air quality before noon Monday as the northern edge of the smoke plume continues to move south. Smoke should exit the Twin Cities around noon Monday. Smoke will likely linger through the afternoon and into the early evening across far southern Minnesota. The alert may need to be extended for far southern Minnesota. Air quality is expected to reach the Red (Unhealthy) category for the southern half of the state.
Fine particle levels are expected to reach the red air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone, across southern Minnesota. In the red area, sensitive groups should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors. Everyone should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.
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