Wildfire Haze Could Linger Around Southern WI Before Weekend Warmup

WISCONSIN — A weekend of warmth and sun could be in store for much of the Milwaukee area after hazy skies caused by smoke from Canadian wildfires pass through the state into Friday night.

Some rain was expected to accompany the wildfire smoke in much of Wisconsin into the evening, according to the National Weather Service. An air quality alert lasts until midnight Friday for southern parts of the state as some sensitive people may be affected by the smoke. Forecasters encouraged people with lung or heart disease, older adults, and children to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

Officials said smoke from the fires could last for days in some parts of the U.S. with the heaviest concentrations of smoke shifting east into the Midwest later in the day, according to a report by CNN.

"Particulate matter concentrations will likely increase sharply at times before steadily diminishing as cleaner air moves in," the NWS in Milwaukee said.

Impacted areas included Milwaukee and Waukesha and beyond across parts of the country. Those looking to spend some time outside this weekend may be in luck, though, because as the haze and rain depart, the temperatures and skies are looking to improve.

The NWS forecast mostly clear or sunny skies for both Saturday and Sunday in the Milwaukee area with temperatures around 70 and mild wind.

Here's the complete NWS forecast for this weekend around greater Milwaukee:

Friday: A mostly sunny afternoon with a high of around 68. Partly cloudy into the evening with a low of around 46.

Saturday: A sunny day with a high of around 71 and north winds from 5-10 mph. Mostly clear into the evening with a high around 51 and 5 mph wind.

Sunday: A mostly sunny day with a high of around 75 and a mostly clear evening with temperatures dropping to around 46.