Timeline, New Details On How Long Wildfire Smoke Will Blanket CT

CONNECTICUT — It's a safe bet to assume everyone is well-versed now on the hazy and smoky sky consuming Connecticut and the Northeast.

Increased wildfire activity in eastern Canada has prompted an "Air Quality Alert" since late Monday and it continues on Wednesday in Connecticut.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has said wildfires over Quebec are responsible for elevating fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels. This means the air quality will exceed Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG).

"Terrible air quality expected again today! Not too good now and worse across Connecticut midday-afternoon, said WTNH News 8 Chief Meteorologist Gil Simmons on Twitter. "...Nasty air out there! Be careful today & the air quality will get worse & worse through the coming afternoon!" (Watch the full WTNH News 8 forecast here).

See related: Poor Air Quality Prompts Postponement Of CIAC Tournaments Wednesday

WFSB 3 TV meteorologists said "that sun will still be hazy from the Quebec wildfires, but as the wind becomes more west-northwesterly, conditions should improve a bit. While an isolated shower is possible, most of the time is dry. Temperatures will be a bit cooler than yesterday as they top out in the lower 70s."

The National Weather Service said Wednesday morning that "Smoke & haze continue to move in from the north. In this satellite loop, you can see a thicker plume over central NY and northern PA which will be shifting in over the next few hours. Expect a reduction in visibility, poor air quality & the smell of smoke."

With the unhealthy air quality from elevated levels of smoke from the wildfires in Canada, the Connecticut Department of Public Health is recommending that people with asthma or heart and lung conditions avoid outdoor exercise today and Thursday.

“The health effects for some people may include chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, eye irritation, chest pain, dizziness or lightheadedness, and other symptoms,” said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. ‘We recommend that you avoid any outdoor exercise today if you have an underlying health condition. Be sure to have your medications readily available and seek medical attention if these issues worsen.”

Juthani added that closing windows and doors will help keep smoke out of the home. Children, the elderly, and those with asthma or heart and lung conditions are most at risk for experiencing symptoms from elevated air pollution that is expected today. Even healthy adults who spend prolonged periods outdoors working or exercising should minimize their outdoor exertion because poor air quality can impact even those not considered vulnerable.

Isolated rain showers are possible on Thursday and Friday, and possibly a random thunderstorm too, WFSB 3 TV forecasters said.

"When it comes to the weekend forecast, temperatures trend milder. Saturday looks to feature a mix of sun and clouds with at least a shower chance (not a washout) and highs in the mid-70s. Sunday should be several degrees warmer and dry," WFSB 3 TV forecasters said. (Watch the full WFSB 3 TV forecast here).

See also across CT

Kids Causing ‘Mayhem’ At Business Prompts Lecture To Parents

A business is complimenting well-behaved children, but also warning some parents about letting kids act in an unruly manner.>>>Read More.

Priest Reassigned Amid Sexual Misconduct Lawsuit: Reports

The priest has been reassigned amid a lawsuit over sexual misconduct allegations that happened at a different church, according to reports.>>>Read More.

Health Effects of PM 2.5 Air Pollution via CT state officials

When air quality is forecasted to be USG, there is an “increased likelihood that individuals in sensitive groups will develop respiratory symptoms, that aggravation of heart or lung disease could occur, and persons with cardiopulmonary disease and the elderly could experience premature mortality,” according to a state news release issued earlier this week.

“Children and people with asthma or other lung disease are most at risk for experiencing these symptoms,” according to a state news release issued earlier this week. “Active children and adults, and people with impaired lung function or cardiovascular disease, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. If you can smell smoke in the air, then levels are probably high enough to affect sensitive individuals.”

Here are the forecast updates for southern Connecticut via the weather service:

Today: Widespread haze. Patchy smoke. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. West wind around 10 mph.

Tonight: Widespread haze. Areas of smoke. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph.

Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. North wind around 7 mph becoming southwest in the morning.

Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. North wind 3 to 5 mph.

Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 67. North wind around 6 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.

Here are the forecast updates for northern Connecticut via the weather service:

Today: Areas of smoke before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Northwest wind 7 to 13 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

Thursday: Scattered showers, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Scattered showers, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday: A chance of showers before 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. North wind around 6 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers between 11pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind around 6 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday: A chance of showers after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph.