Waarschuwingen

Air Quality Alert issued May 12 at 10:57AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN* WHAT...The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an AirQuality Alert for fine particles pollution. The Air Quality Index(AQI) is expected to reach the Red or Unhealthy category.* WHERE...All of central and southern Minnesota.* WHEN...Until noon CDT Monday.* IMPACTS...Some members of the general public may experiencehealth effects. Sensitive groups, such as people with lungdisease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and olderadults, may experience health effects.* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A band of very heavy smoke from wildfiresin northeast British Columbia has moved into northern Minnesotaand will sweep south across the state on Sunday behind a coldfront. The smoke will reach central Minnesota by Sundayafternoon and southern Minnesota by Sunday evening. The timingof maximum smoke impacts in the Twin Cities will be from around5pm to 10pm - and this would be the time to avoid outdoorexertion if possible. Smoke will have a rapid onset as the frontpasses and will linger overnight before clearing Mondaymorning.Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (includingasthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, shouldavoid prolonged or heavy exertion. The general public shouldlimit prolonged or heavy exertion.Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution,such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burningdevices. Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much aspossible.Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from gettingindoors.

National Weather Service