The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality warning for the areas indicated in orange on the map from Friday, Feb. 19, at 6 p.m., to Sunday, Feb. 21, at 12 p.m. (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency)
(VOS 9) – A warning about air quality will be in effect for most of the weekend in east-central and southeastern Minnesota, which includes the Twin Cities subway, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
The warning starts at 18:00 on Friday 19 February and lasts until Sunday 21 February at 12:00. The area in question also includes St. Cloud, Rochester, Albert Lea, Winona and the tribal nation in Prairie Island.
According to the MPCA, light winds and poor atmospheric mixing from Friday night will create an increased level of fine particles. The increased levels will continue until Saturday, as southerly winds are expected to bring more particles into the area. Air quality should improve on Sunday morning as cleaner air moves in from the west.
The reduced air quality can affect people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, high blood pressure or those who do strenuous physical activity. Young children and older citizens may also be affected.
Possible health consequences may include chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing or fatigue. If you experience these symptoms, those with prescribed inhalers should use them as prescribed.
According to the Department of Natural Resources in Wisconsin, an air quality warning was issued until Sunday 3 p.m. 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.