Canadian wildfire smoke creates hazy sunshine in DC region Wednesday
Hazy skies return Wednesday as Canadian wildfire smoke drifts into the D.C. area.
Temperatures reach 86 before humidity and heat rise Thursday.
Storms possible through the weekend, including on Father's Day.
WASHINGTON - Hazy skies will return to the Washington, D.C., area Wednesday as wildfire smoke from Canada drifts south, creating filtered sunshine.
Morning temperatures will start in the 60s, with dry conditions and some cloud cover. A significant drop in humidity is expected as a cold front brings in drier air, pushing moisture offshore.
Despite the nice weather, smoke from Canadian wildfires will move back into the region, bringing hazy conditions. Air quality should not be an issue
What we know
Temperatures will reach about 86 degrees on Wednesday, which is near the seasonal average. Overnight lows will dip into the 60s under clear skies, making for a comfortable evening.
Humidity will rise again starting Thursday, along with warmer temperatures. The region is expected to hit 90 degrees for the first time this year, with highs near 92 degrees on Thursday and close to 90 on Friday.
Unsettled weather is forecast for the weekend, with storms possible on both Saturday and Sunday. Pop-up showers are expected Friday afternoon into the evening. Showers and a possible thunderstorm are likely on Saturday. Father's Day could see a chance of showers and scattered storms.
The Source
Information in this article comes from the FOX 5 Weather Team and the National Weather Service.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Map Shows States Where Children Urged to Avoid 'Prolonged Outdoor Exposure'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Air quality officials in six states urged children and adults with sensitivities to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure on July 3 and the Fourth of July amid ozone and harmful levels of fine-particle pollution. Why It Matters This new wave of air quality alerts comes after Canadian wildfires prompted a slew of similar ones across the upper Midwest earlier this summer. Wildfires, blowing dust and ozone are all sources of dangerous air pollution that can trigger breathing difficulties and other health issues. Air quality alerts are more often issued during the summer fire season and when ozone is at higher concentrations because of sunlight. In addition to these pollution sources, fireworks celebrations will boom across the nation on Thursday night and over the weekend, worsening the air quality. A map created by Newsweek shows which states are affected by ozone and other pollutants on Thursday. A map created by Newsweek shows which states are affected by ozone and other pollutants on Thursday. Newsweek What To Know As of Thursday afternoon, air quality alerts were in place for the following states: Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Colorado and California. "Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as heart attacks, bronchitis, asthma attacks, and difficulty breathing," reads an air quality alert issued by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) in California. "Everyone can be affected, but sensitive groups such as people with lung or heart disease, older adults, people who are pregnant, children, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors are at greater risk." In addition to staying indoors, people were urged to keep windows and doors closed, run an air conditioner, avoid using whole-house fans or swamp coolers, and steer clear of fireplaces, candles, incense, grilling and gasoline-powered equipment until conditions improve. Ozone pollution is typically worse during the summer, according to a report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It's caused "when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources chemically react in the presence of sunlight." Air quality monitoring maps from AirNow—a data site partnership between the EPA; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Park Service; NASA; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; along with tribal, state and local air quality agencies—show moderate air quality detected across much of the nation. In Minnesota, however, air quality was also shown as being unhealthy for some. "Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected," AirNow said about the air quality levels. What People Are Saying NWS meteorologist Alexander McGinnis, who works at the Indianapolis office, told Newsweek: "Mid-summer, when it gets hotter and the winds are lighter, we do usually see a few days that require air quality alerts due to higher concentrations of ozone." South Coast AQMD posted to X on Thursday: "#FIREWORKS PARTICLE POLLUTION ADVISORY (July 4-5): Poor air quality due to #IndependenceDay fireworks is likely this #FourthofJuly holiday. Personal 'backyard' fireworks also contribute to this air pollution and may lead to negative health effects." Air quality alert issued by the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality: "Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exertion today. Symptoms of ozone exposure may include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, headaches, nausea, and eye and throat irritation." What's Next Most air quality alerts will expire by Thursday or Friday night, depending on the location.
Chicago Tribune
7 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Vintage Chicago Tribune: Revisiting our hottest days — including the 1995 heat wave
The first 100-degree day recorded in Chicago was on July 16, 1887. When the Tribune reported on 'how fashionable people solve the hot weather problem,' suggestions included reading a book indoors, going on a canoe excursion or leaving town for a cooler locale. Chicago logged its highest official temperature of 105 degrees on July 24, 1934, but unofficial results have been even more extreme. Documented highs of 109 degrees during the Dust Bowl in 1934 and 106 during an oppressive heat wave in 1995 were set at other sites in the city. Thankfully, 100-degree days are a rarity here. There have only been 66 of them, according to data kept by the National Weather Service. Chicago experienced its first 100-degree day in more than a decade on Aug. 24, 2023, and none in 2024. What the Tribune reported 'There were fifteen deaths in Chicago which were ascribed definitely to heat prostration. In addition to these there were more than thirty deaths from heart disease and other ailments in which the heat was regarded as a contributing factor. … 'The 12th prostration victim was Karol R. Bielawski, 43 years old, 1629 North Mobile avenue, who dropped dead over the wheel of his truck while driving in Ogden avenue near Warren boulevard. … 'Although temperatures throughout the middle west and the east were extremely high Monday and yesterday, pilots on the transcontinental air lines reported comfortable weather only a few thousand feet above the ground. One pilot, flying a TWA Douglas air liner to Pittsburgh from Chicago, found the temperature 32 degrees at 15,000 feet and was forced to turn on heat in the cabin for the comfort of shivering passengers.' Just two days earlier, John Dillinger — dubbed America's first Public Enemy No. 1 by U.S. Attorney General Homer S. Cummings — was gunned down by federal agents outside the air-conditioned Biograph Theatre.'Of the estimated 350,000 persons who sought relief at beaches and pools, five drowned, scores suffered heat prostration, and thousands took home second-degree sunburns. Another 150,000 tried to duck the heat by seeking shade trees in forest preserves and parks. 'More than 300 motorists were temporarily stranded, the Chicago Motor club reported, when vapor locks developed in carburetors. They had to wait until engines cooled off. Some Chicago transit authority buses were slowed because of overheating, but service was maintained. 'The heat softened blacktop roads in many parts of the Chicago area. Pavement buckled in two places in Lake county — route 173, near Channel Lake, and route 134, near Big Hollow. … 'It was also the hottest spring day in Chicago weather history, because summer does not begin until noon today, and the warmest day of this year, exceeding Friday's 101.8 degrees. 'There were only two cities in the country which registered higher temperatures than Chicago. These were Abilene, Tex., and Oklahoma City, Okla., with 105 degrees each. Fort Worth, Tex., and Yuma, Ariz., equaled Chicago's mark of 104. … 'In some neighborhoods, adults joined children in opening fire hydrants to get momentary relief. … 'Police also were busy on south side beaches, taking care of the 75,000 persons there and ticketing 150 illegally parked cars that blocked entrances and exits. 'Unusually small crowds attended Lincoln Park and Brookfield zoos. Directors Robert Bean of Brookfield said the animals appeared to be comfortable despite the heat. 'They are more judicious than humans, and never seek second degree burns on beaches,' he said.' Other 104-degree days June 20, 1988: 'On the first day of summer Monday, Chicago-area residents experienced two weather milestones. The thermometer at O'Hare International Airport read 104 degrees at 4:26 p.m., the second-hottest temperature ever recorded in Chicago. And it rained for the first time in nearly a month.' July 13, 1995: 'From the Department of Scant Consolation: Only about one two-billionths of the sun's heat and light reaches the Earth. The rest of our star's blazing energy is lost in space or absorbed by the other planets in the solar system. That's true day in and day out. But on a day like Thursday, it seemed as though the sun was focusing all of its searing heat on the Chicago area.' What the Tribune reported 'Some were elderly. Others lived alone. All had underlying health problems. 'While many Chicagoans were able to escape the third day of triple-digit temperatures Friday — retreating to air-conditioned homes or cooling centers — authorities said that over the last few days, at least six people have succumbed to the stifling heat. ''There will always be some people who are very hard to reach,' Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said. 'It could be a person who is down on their luck, it could be a person who has good resources but no one to monitor them, it could be a person who doesn't want to leave their home.'' Other 103-degree days July 21, 1901: 'Yesterday was the hottest day Chicago ever has known. The thermometer made a pole-vault for the record, reached it at 2 o'clock, slipped back to get a fresh start, and made a flying leap that cleared the record by a full degree. Then, to cap the climax, the mercury registered the hottest evening the Weather bureau has ever had to record in Chicago.' July 1, 1956: 'It was the 13th day this year that the temperature has exceeded 90. The number of days with 90 or higher temperatures is ahead of last year when the all-time record of 46 such days in one year was set. The 13th 90 degree or higher day did not come until July 19 last year.' June 25, 1988: 'Chicago's official high temperature was a record (for June 25) 103 degrees at O'Hare International Airport at 3 p.m., and it was 2 degrees higher at Lake Michigan. By midnight, however, the temperature had dropped to a cool 66 and was expected to fall even more before dawn.' Thanks for reading! Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
California's largest blaze explodes in size as dry, hot weather raises wildfire risk statewide
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A wildfire in a wilderness area of central California exploded in size as dry, hot weather Thursday raised the fire risk for large portions of the state ahead of the July Fourth holiday. The Madre Fire became California's largest blaze so far this year, ripping through grasslands after breaking out Wednesday in southeastern San Luis Obispo County. It swiftly grew to more than 55 square miles (142 square kilometers). There was just 5% containment. Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for tiny communities near State Route 166 as flames moved through hilly terrain toward the Carrizo Plain National Monument, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of Santa Maria. The region about 125 miles (200 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles contains vast grasslands that draw visitors in the spring to see its wildflowers. The fire was pushed by summer gusts that typically increase as the sun starts going down, said meteorologist Ryan Kittell with the National Weather Service. 'The winds are pretty light during the day, but they do pick up pretty substantially in the afternoon and evening hours,' Kittell said. He said gusts could reach 40 mph (64 kph) later in the day Thursday, posing new challenges for firefighters working in 95-degree heat (35 Celsius). Dozens of smaller wildfires were burning across the state. Southern California's Wolf Fire reached 55% containment Thursday after charring more than 3.7 square miles (9.5 square kilometers) of dry brush since breaking out June 29 in Riverside County east of Los Angeles.
