The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an air quality alert for the areas indicated in orange on the map from Friday, February 19 at 6 pm, to Sunday, February 21 at noon. (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency)
(FOX 9) – An air quality alert will be in place in mid-east and southeast Minnesota, which includes the Twin Cities subway, for much of the weekend, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
The alert starts at 6 pm on Friday, February 19 and runs until Sunday, February 21 at noon. The affected area also includes St. Cloud, Rochester, Albert Lea, Winona and the tribal nation of Prairie Island.
According to the MPCA, weak winds and poor atmospheric mixing will create a higher level of fine particles starting on Friday night. The high levels will continue until Saturday as the southern winds are expected to bring more particles into the area. Air quality is expected to improve on Sunday morning as cleaner air arrives from the west.
Decreased air quality can affect people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, hypertension or those who practice strenuous physical activity. Young children and the elderly can also be affected.
Possible health effects may include chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing or fatigue. If you experience these symptoms, those with prescribed inhalers should use them as instructed.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, an air quality alert until 3 pm on Sunday has also been issued for the following counties in Wisconsin: Adams, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Outagamie , Ozaukee, Pepin, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago and Wood.