Latest air quality forecast indicates above average wildfire smoke impacts in Minnesota this summer
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has released its latest air quality forecast for the summer season.
It's important to keep in mind that there are basically two different types of pollutants: wildfire smoke, which you're probably familiar with, and ozone.
Ozone occurs when chemicals at the surface of the Earth in the atmosphere interact with sunlight, and it is not good to ingest.
The forecast for this summer is calling for below average precipitation, which means you have less clouds, more sun and a better chance of seeing ozone. The forecast is calling for a slightly above average ozone season, with four to seven days of ozone expected, and also anticipating the greatest impacts being around the Twin Cities suburbs and the Rochester region.
When it comes to wildfires, drought does make an impact. Below, you can see the forecast going through July. Locations in yellow should anticipate drought conditions to develop. Spots in brown can anticipate drought to persist.
When we have drought, that does, of course, stress out vegetation. Things in the atmosphere, like strong winds and low relative humidity, increase the chances of seeing wildfires.
The forecast also calls for elevated wildfire activity in Canada, which, as we've seen in the past, does impact Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
The MPCA forecasts a slightly above average wildfire season here, which means 12 to 16 days of wildfire smoke impacts are anticipated.
WCCO's NEXT Weather team will let you know about days where air quality could be an issue.
