Twin Cities experiences worst air quality on record amid Canadian wildfire smoke
TWIN CITIES - On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, the Twin Cities found themselves in some of the worst air quality in the nation according to the Environmental Protection Agency and according to AirNow parts of the southern Twin Cities even saw some of the worst air quality in the world as wildfire smoke from the Canadian wildfires in Ontario, Canada.
While the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency continues to evaluate the official numbers from the 24 observation points across the Twin Cities Metro, the agency is saying the Twin Cities likely saw some of the worst air quality on record within the Twin Cities proper since records began in 1980. At around 7 PM, St. Paul air quality sensors were measuring an AQI value of around 271, which is the highest reading ever for both Minneapolis and St Paul within the Twin Cities proper according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in a Tweet. The highest daily AQI reading for the state of Minnesota was recorded back on July 20, 2021, in Red Lake Nation with an AQI value of 259 according to the agency in another Tweet. The highest hourly Twin Cities Metro reading was back on July 29, 2021, in St. Michael, where the AQI value was 308. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says the average AQI across the 24 sensors in the Twin Cities Metro is 175, which is considered category Red, or Unhealthy for all.
When the agency publishes the official numbers from Wednesday, we will be sure to post an update to this article. Do you have any photos or videos from Wednesday of the smoke from across the Twin Cities? We would to see them! You can share them with us via any of our social media profiles linked below!
