Will wildfire smoke affect the World Cup final?
As the World Cup final approaches this weekend, Sam Cardona-Norberg shares information about wildfire smoke in New York/New Jersey.
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The weather pattern that caused thick, dangerous wildfire smoke to descend from Canada will continue to plague the central and eastern United States for the next few days, forecasters said, with only a brief break in some areas on Saturday, July 18.
Air quality warnings were issued for millions of people, including throughout Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, due to the heavy smoke, the National Weather Service said.
AccuWeather announced on July 17 that more than 800 wildfires continue to burn across Canada, including dozens that are out of control across western Ontario, where most of the smoke is coming from.
Short-term relief in the Northeast
Weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman said in an online forecast that some people may get a short respite from the smoke on Saturday, July 18, as “many areas of the Ohio Valley and Northeast will see showers and thunderstorms Saturday afternoon into the evening (July 18), and smoke particles in these areas will help clear the air.”
However, parts of the storm could reach severe levels, the Storm Prediction Center said. “Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of the Ohio Valley and the lower Great Lakes region and the mid-Atlantic, primarily Saturday afternoon and evening. Some threats may remain into late Saturday night,” the SPC said.
In areas without rain, the Great Lakes and Northern Plains are expected to remain hot and humid for several days, with daily highs in the 90s to low 100s, NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center said.
What will happen in the World Cup final?
“Unfortunately, model forecasts indicate the possibility of two additional southward plumes in the northern Great Lakes starting Saturday (July 18),” Edman said. “By Sunday (July 19), that smoke could spread as far south as the Ohio Valley and once again invade parts of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast.”
However, skies are expected to be clear and smoke-free in the New York City area for the World Cup finals in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19, according to the National Weather Service.
Erdmann said smoke is expected to move south through the Midwest again starting Tuesday and could reach parts of the South by mid to late next week.
How to keep smoking safe
According to AccuWeather, people in particularly sensitive groups are encouraged to limit their time outdoors amid poor air quality.
Spending time outdoors or exercising can increase your risk of effects such as difficulty breathing, throat irritation, and itchy eyes.
AccuWeather Meteorologist Brianna Grill added, “Be sure to keep your pet indoors to prevent exposure to poor air quality.”
According to AccuWeather, this smoke could limit temperatures within the ongoing heat dome, creating vivid sunrises and sunsets in areas where the smoke is not so thick in the sky.
Doyle Rice is a national correspondent for USA TODAY, focusing on weather and climate.
