Anoka, MN Weather Alerts

* WHAT...The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air
Quality Alert for fine particles pollution. The Air Quality
Index (AQI) is expected to reach the Red or Unhealthy category.

* WHERE...Central and southern Minnesota.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 11 PM CDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...Some members of the general public may experience
health effects. Sensitive groups, such as people with lung
disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and
older adults, may experience health effects.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heavy ground-level smoke from wildfires in
the Northwest Territories of Canada is moving south across
central Canada and towards Minnesota on Wednesday. A strong cold
front will bring this smoke across the entire state on Thursday.
Smoke will reach the border around midnight Thursday, the Twin
Cities around noon, and southern Minnesota by 3 PM. This smoke
may be heavy and air quality may reach the Red (Unhealthy) AQI
category for much of eastern Minnesota. Smoke will linger across
the eastern half of the state on Friday and fine particle levels
will continue to be high for most of the day. Winds will become
southerly Friday afternoon and smoke will begin to retreat away
from the state and disperse. Air quality should improve below
alert levels by the end of the day on Friday.

* WHAT...The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air
Quality Alert for fine particles pollution. The Air Quality Index
(AQI) is expected to reach the Orange or Unhealthy for Sensitive
Groups category.

* WHERE..Central Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM CDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease
(including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults,
may experience health effects.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heavy ground-level smoke from wildfires in
the Northwest Territories of Canada has reached northwest
Minnesota Thursday morning. Strong northwest winds will bring
this smoke into central Minnesota by Thursday afternoon. Smoke
levels are lower than expected and the alert has been downgraded
to Orange for the alert area. Winds will become southerly
overnight and will prevent the heaviest smoke from reaching
southern Minnesota. The alert has been cancelled for far
southern Minnesota, along with the Arrowhead region. Smoke will
linger across the alert area through Friday afternoon. Smoke
will continue to disperse as it retreats away from the state.
Air quality should improve below alert levels by late Friday.