Wildfire Smoke, Hot Temps, Then Unsettled Weather This Weekend

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Smoke from Canadian wildfires has been impacting air quality in the Hudson Valley region, but it is heading eastward, according to the National Weather Service.

The website, firesmoke.ca, shows a detailed map of the smoke and its projected path over the United States.

Brett Rathbun, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albany, said the worst impact for the Hudson Valley was early today.

There will not be as much smoke in the region over the next few days due to the flow of the atmosphere, according to Rathbun.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued an air quality health advisory, with ozone being the pollutant of concern.

The state Department of Health recommends limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity while pollution levels are elevated. The very young and people with preexisting respiratory issues such as asthma or heart disease may be particularly sensitive, according to the department.

The Hudson Valley region is expected to experience hot temperatures over the next couple of days, with some locations reaching highs around 90 on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

“It is definitely feeling like summer,” Rathbun said.

Thursday afternoon will bring the next chance for precipitation, with a potential for thunderstorms, according to Rathbun.

The temperatures are expected to be cooler for the weekend, with temperatures reaching into the mid-70s, he said.

Here are the forecast details for the Mid-Hudson Valley area via the National Weather Service, as of Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Wednesday Afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 88. South wind around 8 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday: A slight chance of showers between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: Showers likely, mainly after 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

Here are the forecast details for the lower Hudson Valley area via the National Weather Service, as of Wednesday at 3 p.m.:

Wednesday Afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 9 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. West wind around 6 mph.

Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 3 to 7 mph.

Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Saturday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.