Minneapolis Air Quality Forecast - Today, Tomorrow
Air Quality Today
Today (10 October): Air quality in Minneapolis is fair. AQI and NO2 are fair; PM2.5, PM10, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (NO2: 23.8/100).
Air Quality Tomorrow
Tomorrow (11 October 2026): Air quality in Minneapolis is moderate. AQI worsens to moderate; PM2.5 increases to fair; NO2 increases to moderate; PM1 increases to fair; all other pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (NO2: 42.9/100).
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Air Quality
Today - 10 October
| Pollutant | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Fair | 23.8/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Good | 16.0/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Good | 13.2/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Fair | 23.8/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Good | 14.0/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Good | 0.4/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 0.6/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Good | 1.9/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Good | 18.8/100 |
Tomorrow - 11 October
| Pollutant | Level | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AQI | Moderate | 42.9/100 |
| PM2.5 (fine particles) | Fair | 22.2/100 |
| PM10 (coarse particles) | Good | 15.2/100 |
| NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) | Moderate | 42.9/100 |
| O3 (ozone) | Good | 15.0/100 |
| SO2 (sulfur dioxide) | Good | 0.5/100 |
| CO (carbon monoxide) | Good | 0.7/100 |
| HCHO (formaldehyde) | Good | 2.2/100 |
| PM1 (ultrafine particles) | Fair | 24.6/100 |
Local Environmental Conditions
Air quality in Minneapolis is usually good, but traffic, wood smoke and wildfires all play a part. Vehicles on I-94, I-35W and the other freeways through the city are the main local source, along with industry and rail yards in North Minneapolis and along the river. In winter, wood stoves and backyard fires add fine particles. The worst days, however, come from wildfire smoke, carried in on northerly winds from Canada and, increasingly, from fires in northern Minnesota itself, sometimes for days.
Minneapolis air quality changes a lot through the year. In summer, wildfire smoke is the biggest concern: in July 2026, fires in Canada and northern Minnesota caused the worst smoke outbreak on record in the state, and the Twin Cities had their first ever hazardous air quality alert. Hot, sunny days from June to August can also raise ozone. In winter, cold, still mornings, averaging around -9°C in January, can trap smoke from wood burning and vehicle exhaust near the ground in Minneapolis.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Air Quality in Minnesota
Is air quality bad in Minneapolis right now?
On 10 October 2026, overall air quality in Minneapolis is fair. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 23.8/100. Pollution peaks around 4:00 PM (NO2: 23.8/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Minneapolis?
On 11 October 2026, air quality conditions in Minneapolis will be worse than today, with AQI forecast at moderate at 42.9/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (NO2: 42.9/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Minneapolis?
Minneapolis air quality changes a lot through the year. In summer, wildfire smoke is the biggest concern: in July 2026, fires in Canada and northern Minnesota caused the worst smoke outbreak on record in the state, and the Twin Cities had their first ever hazardous air quality alert. Hot, sunny days from June to August can also raise ozone. In winter, cold, still mornings, averaging around -9°C in January, can trap smoke from wood burning and vehicle exhaust near the ground in Minneapolis.
Are air quality levels in Minneapolis based on measurements or forecasts?
It is forecasts derived by downscaling forecasts provided by EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) by taking into account local conditions such as traffic patterns. CAMS bases its forecast on satellite measurements of particles and chemical compounds in the atmosphere. Airmine’s services were developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team.
Why doesn’t the forecast always reflect wildfire impacts?
Airmine’s forecast uses CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) as its background atmospheric model. While CAMS includes wildfire emissions, these are derived from satellite observations and are not available in real time. During rapidly evolving wildfire events, there may therefore be a delay before increased emissions are incorporated into the model. As a result, the forecast may temporarily underestimate PM₂.₅ and other pollutants associated with wildfire smoke.
During rapidly evolving wildfire events, CAMS may lag by approximately 1–2 days before increased wildfire emissions are fully represented, which can lead to temporary underestimation of PM₂.₅ concentrations in Airmine’s forecast.
Understanding the Scale
The 0–100 air quality scores represent risk levels, not direct air pollutant concentrations. Higher scores indicate higher risk.
Air Quality
| Good | 0-20 | Low air quality risk. Air quality is expected to be good, with low levels of pollution. |
| Fair | 20-40 | Generally low air quality risk. Air quality is expected to be acceptable, with some pollution present. |
| Moderate | 40-60 | Moderate air quality risk. Air pollution is elevated and air quality may be less favorable. |
| Poor | 60-80 | High air quality risk. Air pollution is high and air quality is expected to be poor. |
| Very Poor | 80-100 | Very high air quality risk. Air pollution is very high and air quality is expected to be very poor. |