Steamy Tuesday in Twin Cities ahead of possible severe storms; air quality alert in effect

Tuesday will be hot and humid in the Twin Cities, with air quality concerns starting midday and storm chances arriving overnight.

Highs will be near 90 degrees in the metro with head indices in the mid-90s. Up north, a heat advisory will be in place from noon to 8 p.m.

Later in the evening, storms will originate out west before possibly banding together and pushing through the metro after midnight. Damaging winds will be the main concern. The storms will diminish in intensity as they move east, exiting into western Wisconsin by sunrise.

A NEXT Weather Alert will be in place Wednesday as the metro sees the highest severe weather threat of the week. Large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes are all possible in the afternoon hours. Heat and humidity will stay on par with Tuesday's levels.

A few storms could linger into Thursday as cooler air arrives. Highs will return to the 70s on Friday.

The weekend looks quiet, with comfortable temperatures and limited rain chances.

Air quality alert

An air quality alert will be in effect in the metro and central Minnesota from noon to 9 p.m. due to high levels of ground-level ozone, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Children and teens, people with breathing conditions and those who are working or playing for an extended amount of time outdoors are most at risk for adverse symptoms, the agency says, including shortness of breath, sore throats, coughing, wheezing and fatigue.

"Ozone is produced on hot, sunny days by a chemical reaction between volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen," the agency says.

People are urged to drive less during these alerts, as well as avoid burning anything and using gas-powered lawn equipment.