When can southwestern Illinois expect a break from Canadian wildfire smoke?
%20(1).jpg "Smoke from Canadian wildfires has reached the metro-east.")
Metro-east residents are not expected to get a break from the Canadian wildfire smoke until later Wednesday afternoon or Thursday, a member of the National Weather Service of St. Louis said.
Melissa Byrd, a meteorologist with the weather service, said Wednesday morning conditions will continue to improve through the afternoon hours, but that the smoke will not completely dissipate Wednesday.
“Visibility and the amount of smoke particulates in the air will diminish as the winds become southerly and push the smoke back to the northeast,” she said. “However, we’ll at least be at orange for air quality for the rest of the day and possibly tomorrow.”
As Byrd noted, the metro-east remains under an orange Air Quality Alert. That initially was until 10 p.m. Wednesday but has been extended to 11:30 a.m. Thursday. That means the air quality will be unhealthy for some — meaning people with heart/lung disease, older adults and children should limit outdoor activities.
She further explained why the smoke descended upon the metro-east and why it ultimately will exit the area.
“The reason it moved in was there was more of a northeast wind that pushed the smoke into the area,” she said. “Winds will start to veer to the southeast and south and that will push the smoke back to the north and help send it out.”
Byrd added the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will keep the entire state at orange air quality through Thursday afternoon.
“We’re still expecting to have an Air Quality Alert today and possibly tomorrow,” she said. “Just limit your time outside or don’t do anything strenuous while you’re outside because of the poor air quality.”
As far as the overall weather forecast, temperatures Wednesday will reach a high of 89 before excessive heat hits the area. On Thursday, the National Weather Service projects a high of 99 degrees with heat indexes reaching 109. Then, on Friday, a high of 100 degrees is expected with Saturday’s high projected at 96 degrees.
A slight possibility of much-needed rain exists both Friday and Saturday.
This story was originally published June 28, 2023 at 10:37 AM.