Canadian wildfire smoke, haze to effect Eastern Shore through Friday

Residents of Accomack and Northampton counties can expect hazy skies and smoky conditions through at least Friday as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to drift into the Eastern Shore region, according to the National Weather Service in Wakefield.

In a forecast discussion issued early Thursday morning, meteorologists said waves of smoke from wildfires in west-central Ontario are moving south and will remain over the area through Friday. The smoke is expected to create a hazy, milky-looking sky and may also lead to periods of reduced visibility.

Forecasters said the smoke will likely hold daytime temperatures a few degrees lower than they otherwise would be, even though the region remains in a warm and humid weather pattern. High temperatures on the Eastern Shore are now expected to stay mainly in the low to mid-90s, with heat index values around 100 degrees.

The Weather Service said smoke aloft can block some sunlight and limit daytime heating, which is why forecast highs have been lowered. At the same time, higher humidity levels are expected to keep conditions feeling muggy.

The haze is expected to continue into Friday, when forecasters say a greater concentration of both smoke aloft and near the ground could move into much of the region. That could result in more noticeable visibility restrictions and possibly poorer air quality. While official air quality alerts were issued Thursday for some nearby areas, the Weather Service said additional alerts remain possible as conditions are monitored.

There is only a slight chance of isolated showers or thunderstorms through Friday, with better rain chances expected over the weekend. Forecasters said thunderstorms this weekend could bring locally heavy rainfall, while warm and humid conditions are expected to continue into early next week.

Residents with respiratory issues or sensitivity to smoky conditions may want to limit prolonged outdoor activity if haze becomes thicker.