Should You Go Outside Today? Twin Cities Air Quality Explained

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — An Air Quality Alert is in effect across the Twin Cities Wednesday, and the National Weather Service says smoke from wildfires burning in northern Minnesota has pushed the Air Quality Index into the red, or unhealthy for everyone, category.

Here's what that means for your day.

What's happening

Smoke from large wildfires in northern Minnesota moved southeast behind a cold front, arriving quickly in the metro on Wednesday.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's forecast puts Wednesday's AQI at 151 for fine particle pollution, an unhealthy reading, with ozone adding an unhealthy for sensitive groups rating on top of that.

Hot temperatures across the metro are making the impact worse.

Who's most at risk

People with lung disease, including asthma, or heart disease, along with children and older adults, are advised to avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion today.

The general public is advised to limit prolonged or heavy exertion as well, even without an underlying health condition.

What you can do today

Move outdoor plans indoors where possible, especially exercise or yard work. Keep windows closed overnight to keep smoke from getting inside. Skip outdoor burning and limit use of wood-burning devices.

Cut back on vehicle idling, which adds to the pollution. If you or your kids have asthma or another respiratory condition, keep rescue medication on hand.

When it might improve

The alert remains in effect through 11 a.m. Friday, with additional rounds of heavy smoke possible Thursday into Friday morning as winds shift.

Forecasters say rain expected to move across the fire areas Friday could reduce smoke output and improve conditions, though it's too early to say how much difference that will make.

Hourly air quality updates are available at the MPCA's AQI website.