Special Weather Statement Issued For CT Saturday: Here's What You Need To Know

CONNECTICUT — A special weather statement along with an air quality alert has been issued for the entire state on Saturday.

In southern Connecticut, the weather service said, "Patchy dense fog can be expected this morning. The fog will reduce visibilities to a quarter mile or less at times. Extra caution should be used in traveling."

In northern Connecticut, the weather service said, "Areas of fog are expected to develop this morning across southern New England, which may become locally dense with visibilities one mile or less, with some areas having a visibility of one quarter mile at times....Travelers this morning should be alert for sudden changes in visibility."

Air Quality Alert on Saturday for CT

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting smoke from wildfires over Quebec to elevate fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels on Saturday, July 1, officials said in a news release.

These levels are expected to reach Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) levels for the entire state. The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) also is issuing guidance and information on protective measures. Ozone levels (smog) are also expected to reach USG levels in Fairfield and New Haven counties, officials said.

For Sunday, DEEP forecasts PM2.5 levels will be Moderate statewide as scattered showers move through the state. Ozone levels will be Good.

Health Effects of PM2.5 Air Pollution

When air quality is forecasted to be USG, there is an increased likelihood for members of sensitive groups to experience health effects. DPH recommends that those in sensitive populations, which includes children, seniors, and those with heart or lung disease, limit time outdoors and avoid strenuous outdoor exercise. Everyone else should reduce long or intense activities outdoors. Also, it is important to take more breaks during outdoor activities, officials said.

How do Forest Fires in Quebec Impact Connecticut?

"Major wildfires are still burning across Quebec. The wildfire smoke from Quebec has pushed through New York State into Connecticut. Saturday, winds will continue to be southerly, allowing for the plume to continue to push into Connecticut," state officials said in a news release. "The following image shows the smoke plumes from the EPA Fire and Smoke Map. The satellite image from today shows a thick smoke plume throughout Connecticut, with an even a thicker smoke plume over New York State into Canada. Currently, the PM2.5 levels in Connecticut are in the moderate to unhealthy range."

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Details on the holiday weekend weather forecast via WFSB 3 TV meteorologists

"...if you’re looking for a perfect beach or pool day - today is your best day of the extra long holiday weekend for many! It will be mostly dry, sunny and nice. Humidity will creep back into the muggy territory at times, thanks to a southerly flow," WFSB 3 TV meteorologists said.

But if you have outdoor plans on Sunday and Monday "...we have a chance of showers & some storms every day. But - we are not expecting a washout any of these days. As a storm system heads our way, scattered rain and thunderstorm chances increase tomorrow, also the humidity will be noticeably higher (near oppressive levels). It will be cooler, with highs in the 70s."

On Monday, WFSB 3 TV meteorologists said we can expect mostly cloudy skies and there is a chance for some rain showers and possibly "isolated thunderstorms."

"For Tuesday, Independence Day, we may begin to turn the corner on this unsettled pattern with a lower chance for a shower/storm." (Watch/read the full WFSB 3 TV weather forecast here).

Here are the forecast details for southern Connecticut via the National Weather Service:

Today: Widespread haze. Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Widespread haze before 2am. Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 65. South wind around 7 mph.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Patchy fog before 8am. High near 78. Southeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 69. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Independence Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

Here are the forecast details for northern Connecticut via the National Weather Service:

Today: Widespread haze. Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Widespread haze before 2am. Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 65. South wind around 7 mph.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Patchy fog before 8am. High near 78. Southeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 69. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Independence Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.