Residents in Minneapolis and its surrounding areas are facing a challenging week as smoke from Canadian wildfires impacts air quality, prompting weather officials to issue alerts. According to the National Weather Service, widespread smoke is expected today, with showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 pm and again between 2 pm and 4 pm. A forecast indicates that the chance of precipitation today is 100%, with new precipitation amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.
Not the best of days weatherwise today. Widespread rain, smoke, and poor air quality are expected into afternoon. Rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches are likely across southern MN into western WI. The rain and smoke move out tonight with a nice Wednesday ahead. pic.twitter.com/t1t1vWUFg7
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) June 3, 2025
Looking ahead, the weather will see steady improvements with sunny skies foreseen on Wednesday and partly cloudy conditions on Wednesday night, as per the National Weather Service. However, the air quality remains a significant concern. An Air Quality Alert is in effect until 9 AM CDT Wednesday, due to fine particle pollution and ground-level ozone reaching the Red category, which is unhealthy. This is according to a statement obtained by the National Weather Service. Described as an area of heavy ground-level smoke from Canadian wildfires, it has moved into northwest Minnesota behind a cold front and will affect central and southern Minnesota.
The Hazardous Weather Outlook advises that no hazardous weather is expected Wednesday through Monday, following today's events. As the week progresses, Minneapolis may experience a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms with temperatures hovering in the mid-70s during the daytime and dropping into the 50s at night.
Health professionals and weather services urge the public, especially sensitive groups such as people with lung disease, heart disease, and children and older adults, to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion while the alert is in place. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recommends the public "reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution," such as outdoor burning and the use of residential wood-burning devices, the NWS Air Quality Alert stated. Forecasters suggest keeping windows closed overnight as a precaution against allowing smoke indoors, showing the need for heightened awareness during these conditions.
