Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

MNZ011-012-019>021-037-200000-
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
340 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...AIR QUALITY ALERT NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT SUNDAY...

* 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...East central, southeast, south central, and northeast
  Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT Sunday.

* 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 smoke from wildfires will persist
  across northeast Minnesota tonight into Sunday morning.
  Increasing southwesterly winds Sunday afternoon will lead to
  improved air quality for much of northeast Minnesota, though
  near the wildfires and near the shores of Lake Superior may
  continue to experience poor air quality through the Sunday
  afternoon. The alert for this part of the state is currently set
  to expire at 7 pm Sunday. Only localized poor air quality near
  the wildfires will continue thereafter. Heavy smoke is expected
  to then enter southeastern and far east central Minnesota from
  the east early Sunday morning and persist through Monday
  morning. Red, meaning unhealthy for everyone, is the expected
  AQI category for all of this alert.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including
asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults, should
avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. The general public should limit
prolonged or heavy exertion. 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.

$$

Huyck

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Duluth MN
428 AM CDT Sun Jul 19 2026

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>009-200930-
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-
428 AM CDT Sun Jul 19 2026

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Near-critical fire weather conditions are expected for parts of
northeast Minnesota today.

Hot weather is expected today. Heat advisories are in effect for
most of the region today.

Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible starting this
afternoon and especially tonight. Damaging winds to 60 mph and
large hail to quarter size are the main threats.

Smoke from wildfires will result in "Very Unhealthy" category and
"Unhealthy" category air quality for portions of the region today.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday

Scattered to numerous strong to severe thunderstorms are possible
Monday afternoon and evening, especially in the Minnesota
Arrowhead and northwest Wisconsin. Damaging winds up to 70 mph and
hail up to golfball size are the main threats. A stray tornado or
two can`t be ruled out.

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

Strong winds and dry air will lead to near-critical to critical fire
weather conditions Monday afternoon and possibly Tuesday.

Smoke from wildfires will result in "Very Unhealthy" category and
"Unhealthy" category air quality for northwest Wisconsin into Monday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

$$

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
410 AM CDT Sun Jul 19 2026

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-035-037-191700-
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
410 AM CDT Sun Jul 19 2026

...NEAR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST
MINNESOTA...

Dry conditions and occasionally breezy winds will lead to near
critical fire weather conditions today. Southwest winds of 5 to
10 mph with gusts of 15 to 20 mph are forecast for this
afternoon. Minimum relative humidity values of 35 to 45 percent
are also expected. Together, these conditions could lead to the
rapid spread of 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.

$$

JDS

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov