Minneapolis woke up in a sweat on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, with the airport already near 75°F under clear skies and barely any overnight cooldown. Forecasters expect highs in the mid-90s this afternoon, with the heat index pushing toward 100°F, so it will feel even hotter than the numbers suggest. Patchy wildfire smoke is set to drift in late this afternoon and could dim the skyline and worsen air quality right as the evening commute ramps up.
Heat And Air Quality Alerts
The National Weather Service reports that an Extreme Heat Warning issued Tuesday is still in effect for the metro through Thursday night. Overnight lows are expected to stall in the mid-70s, while daytime heat stays intense enough to heighten the risk of heat-related illness.
On top of that, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has an Air Quality Alert in place through Friday morning. Smoke is expected to push the Air Quality Index into the Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy range in parts of central and eastern Minnesota. The combo of high heat and thick smoke will make it tougher for the body to cool down and raise health risks for older adults, kids, people with lung or heart conditions, and anyone working long hours outdoors.
What To Expect Today
Most of today should stay mostly sunny as temperatures climb into the mid-90s, with the peak hourly reading hovering around 96°F by late afternoon. Brief periods could see the heat index near 100°F. Patchy smoke is expected to filter in late this afternoon into the evening, and with light winds, that haze may stick around overnight while skies remain partly cloudy.
Overnight lows are forecast to hold in the low to mid-70s, so do not count on much relief once the sun goes down.
Commute, Events And Safety
As the smoke thickens later in the day, visibility on roads and at airports could drop, leading to isolated travel delays. Give yourself extra time for the evening drive and check with airlines or transit providers for any schedule changes.
If you need to be outside, try to move strenuous activities to the cooler parts of the day, keep water handy, and take frequent breaks. Anyone who starts having trouble breathing or feels chest pain should seek medical help right away.
For those without reliable air conditioning, consider spending time in an air-conditioned public space like a library or community center, and take a minute to check on neighbors or relatives who might struggle with the heat and smoke.
