An air quality alert is in effect on Thursday in Minnesota as more showers and a few strong storms could lead to heavier downpours Thursday night.

AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham explained that on sunny days—particularly during stretches of calm, clear weather—sunlight can break down smoke and haze in the atmosphere, causing it to sink towards the surface and increasing the likelihood of ozone action days or air quality alerts.

Another air quality alert is in place until 11:00 p.m. Thursday night for smoke from those Canadian wildfires. But it’s the rain that is the headline Thursday with some 1-2 inch amounts in the metro and more in other spots.

The Fargo-Moorhead area recently saw smokey air from Canadian wildfires. A veterinary professor from NDSU discusses how to keep dogs and cats safe during those stretches.

With embers from Minnesota’s wildfires still smoldering and Canadian smoke darkening our skies, it’s worth remembering that fires burn more than trees—they consume peatlands, a living foundation beneath our forests that has protected us for centuries.

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Winds from the northwest will pull wildfire smoke back into Minnesota skies over the weekend, as well a chance for rain Saturday afternoon.