An air quality alert covering the entire state of Minnesota continues on Thursday, marring otherwise fairly ideal weather conditions.

Minneapolis faced hazardous air quality, ranking second-worst globally due to Canadian wildfire smoke. Air quality alerts spanned across the Midwest, impacting states like Iowa and Michigan. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activities and use air purifiers.

The smoke is expected to remain over the northern and central Plains of the United States for the next couple of days, according to meteorologists.