Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Duluth MN
536 AM CDT Fri Jul 17 2026

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>009-181045-
Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook/Northern Lake-
North Itasca-Central St. Louis-Southern Lake/North Shore-
Southern Cook/North Shore-North Cass-South Itasca-South Cass-
Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin-Carlton/South St. Louis-
Pine-Douglas-Bayfield-Ashland-Iron-Burnett-Washburn-Sawyer-Price-
536 AM CDT Fri Jul 17 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast
Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Hot weather is expected today. Heat advisories are in effect for
areas along and south of US Highway 2 through 9 PM this evening.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible early this morning
and again this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds to 60 mph
and hail around an inch are expected. A tornado or two cannot be
ruled out for the afternoon and evening round.

Smoke from wildfires will continue to lead to unhealthy to
hazardous air quality today.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

Smoke from wildfires may continue to lead to unhealthy to
hazardous air quality into this weekend and possibly into next
week.

Additional strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Sunday into
Monday.

More hot weather is possible Sunday and Monday. Heat headlines may
be needed.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN spotters are encouraged to report hail of any size, damage
due to strong winds, and rainfall amounts to the National Weather
Service.

$$

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
1253 PM CDT Fri Jul 17 2026

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-035-037-181200-
Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook and Lake-North Itasca-
Central St. Louis-Southern Lake-Southern Cook-North Cass-
South Itasca-Northern Aitkin-Carlton and South St. Louis-
Including the cities of International Falls, Ely, Isabella,
Bigfork, Hibbing, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Grand Marais, Walker,
Grand Rapids, Hill City, and Duluth
1253 PM CDT Fri Jul 17 2026

...NEAR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS SATURDAY FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST
MINNESOTA AND NORTH-CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

Dry conditions and breezy winds will lead to near critical fire
weather conditions tomorrow. Northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph with
are forecast for Saturday afternoon and evening. Minimum relative
humidity values of 30 to 40 percent are also expected. Together,
these conditions could lead to the rapid spread of fires,
espeically in areas where recent lightning activity may have
started fires. Check burning restrictions and fire danger before
burning.

For more information on burning restrictions for Minnesota, see
www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html.

$$

Levens

MNZ011-012-019>021-037-201600-
North St. Louis-Northern Cook and Lake-Central St. Louis-
Southern Lake-Southern Cook-Carlton and South St. Louis-
Including the cities of Ely, Isabella, Hibbing, Two Harbors,
Silver Bay, Grand Marais, and Duluth
1236 PM CDT Fri Jul 17 2026


...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM CDT MONDAY...

* 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 Maroon or Hazardous category.

* WHERE...Northeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 11 AM CDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Everyone is more likely to be affected.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...While heavy smoke retreats across portions
of north central and northeastern Minnesota today, heavy smoke is
expected to persist across much of northeastern Minnesota through
the weekend and into Monday. A separate area of heavy smoke will
move across northwestern Minnesota this morning and afternoon.
Northwestern Minnesota should see improved air quality by this
evening. Additional heavy smoke may move south from Canada this
weekend, and the air quality alert may need to be extended into
east central and southeastern Minnesota.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should
remain indoors and keep activity levels low. The general public
should avoid all physical activities outdoors. Reduce or
eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as
outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices.
Reduce vehicle trips and vehicle idling as much as possible. Keep
windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors.

&&

For information on current air quality conditions in your area
and to sign up for daily air quality forecasts and alert
notifications by email, text message, phone, or the EPA AirNow
mobile app, visit https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-
climate/current-air- quality-conditions. You can find additional
information about health and air quality at
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land- climate/air-quality-
and-health. Poor air quality can impact pets and animals. More
information regarding pet and animal safety can be found at
https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-06/protect- your-
pets-factsheet.pdf and https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-
owners/emergencycare/wildfire-smoke-and-animals.

$$

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov