Duluth, Minnesota – Heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires will smother northeast Minnesota again Monday, driving air quality into dangerous levels from Hibbing to Duluth.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, a statewide Air Quality Alert remains in effect until 9 a.m. CDT Monday, with levels expected to reach the Very Unhealthy or even Purple range. Smoke will push into the region early Monday and settle across the Northland by afternoon, affecting cities including Ely, Grand Rapids, and Duluth. Sensitive groups — children, seniors, and those with heart or lung conditions — should avoid all outdoor activity.
Wildfire smoke already triggered hazardous readings over the weekend. A second, denser wave is forecast to sweep east from North Dakota by late Sunday night, spreading across U.S. Highway 2 and I-35 by midday Monday. Visibility could drop below 2 miles during peak hours.
Light winds and high humidity will trap particulates near the surface. Even healthy individuals may experience headaches, eye irritation, or breathing difficulty. Keep windows closed, run air purifiers if available, and limit vehicle use. Avoid mowing or outdoor fires until conditions improve.
Thunderstorm chances return Monday night into Tuesday, but any rain may arrive too late to clear out the smoke. A new Hazardous Weather Outlook warns of isolated strong storms over the Arrowhead and northwest Wisconsin starting Tuesday night.
🔎 Five-Day Forecast: Duluth, MN (July 14–18)
- Monday: Areas of smoke. High near 83°F. Winds west at 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Showers and storms likely after 1 p.m. High near 79°F. Winds south 5–10 mph.
- Wednesday: Showers continue. Breezy. High near 63°F. Winds north 10–15 mph.
- Thursday: Slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny. High near 68°F.
- Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 71°F. Winds south at 10 mph.
⚠️ Next update expected by Monday morning as visibility and air quality evolve. Additional alerts may be issued if smoke persists through Tuesday.
