Minneapolis started Friday on a deceptively gentle note, with clear skies and a mid-morning reading around 66°F at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Do not get too comfortable, though. The city is headed for a quick warm-up to a summer-style high near 88°F on Friday, May 29, with mostly sunny skies and a light southeast breeze that will keep humidity low and the air feeling dry.
Ozone Alert This Afternoon
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert for the Twin Cities from noon to 9 p.m. Friday, May 29, warning that ground-level ozone may reach the Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) category, according to the MPCA. Sensitive groups, including people with lung or heart disease, children, older adults, and anyone doing strenuous exercise outside, are urged to limit prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. The agency also recommends cutting back on activities that add to pollution, such as open burning and unnecessary vehicle idling, while the alert is in effect.
Weekend Outlook
Temperatures are set to stay above normal through the holiday weekend, with highs near 83°F on Saturday and around 82°F on Sunday. Only a slight chance of afternoon showers is expected in parts of western Minnesota. East-southeast winds will ramp up Saturday night into Sunday, and gusts up to 25 mph are possible overnight Saturday, according to the National Weather Service Twin Cities, which is calling for mostly dry conditions through much of next week.
Plan Ahead
If you are planning to be outside today, try to schedule harder workouts or yard work for the morning or later in the evening, and keep water close by. Kids and older adults should grab shade or head indoors during the hottest part of the afternoon. Before you head out, check hourly AQI updates and local forecasts, and skip idling the car or burning yard waste to help keep ozone levels in check while the alert is up.
