Duluth, Minnesota – Smoke and storms will battle for dominance across northern Minnesota starting Sunday, creating a summer weather alert with real health and travel risks for Duluth and surrounding cities.
According to the National Weather Service in Duluth, areas of smoke will persist across the Northland through Sunday, reducing visibility and impacting air quality, particularly near the I-35 corridor. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has extended its Air Quality Alert through 9 a.m. Monday, warning that fine particle levels may reach Very Unhealthy conditions for some locations. Sensitive groups should avoid all outdoor activity.
As smoke hangs over the region during daylight hours, Sunday evening brings a 20 percent chance of isolated thunderstorms moving into the Minnesota Arrowhead and northwest Wisconsin. A few storms could be strong, with gusts up to 25 mph.
Conditions improve briefly Monday with sunny skies and a high near 82°F before storm chances return late Monday night and again Tuesday, bringing scattered showers and possible thunderstorms.
Looking ahead, Tuesday will be breezy with a high near 74°F and likely showers after 1 p.m. Another round of showers continues into Tuesday night, followed by cooler, breezy weather midweek.
Five-Day Forecast Snapshot (July 13–17):
- Sunday: Smoke lingers; slight storm chance late (High: 84°F)
- Monday: Sunny and warm (High: 82°F)
- Tuesday: Showers likely, breezy (High: 74°F)
- Wednesday: Cooler, chance of storms (High: 63°F)
- Thursday: Partial clearing, slight shower risk (High: 70°F)
Stay alert for updated advisories and limit outdoor exposure while smoke levels remain elevated through Monday morning.
