Duluth, Minnesota – Wildfire smoke continues to smother northeast Minnesota, cutting visibility and pushing the air quality to unhealthy levels through noon Wednesday.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, an Air Quality Alert remains in effect for Duluth, the North Shore, and northeast counties until 12 p.m. Wednesday. Fine particle pollution from Canadian wildfire smoke has caused the Air Quality Index to approach the Purple, or “Very Unhealthy,” category.
Travelers on I-35 near Duluth and across St. Louis, Carlton, and Itasca Counties should expect reduced visibility (as low as 2 miles) and respiratory risks, especially for sensitive groups. The NWS reports that northwest winds behind a cold front are dragging dense smoke into the region. Conditions will gradually improve by late Wednesday morning, but residents are urged to avoid outdoor activity and close windows overnight.
Wednesday will bring sunny skies and highs near 75°F, though haze will linger through early afternoon. Winds will stay light from the northwest at 5–10 mph, offering limited dispersion.
Rain chances return Thursday evening with isolated thunderstorms, and cooler temperatures arrive by Friday.
🗓 Five-Day Duluth Forecast (June 3–7)
- Tuesday Night: Areas of smoke. Low near 52°F.
- Wednesday: Sunny, high of 75°F. Smoke clears by afternoon.
- Thursday: Slight chance of PM showers. High near 73°F.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, cooler with a high of 69°F.
- Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. High of 72°F.
- Sunday: Breezy, mostly sunny. High of 68°F.
