Wildfire smoke from the ongoing Canadian wildfires will begin drifting into the United States later this week, AccuWeather meteorologists report.
The atmospheric haze may be so thick it “dims the sun” for residents in the six states it impacts, including North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.
Potentially reduced air quality is also expected in major cities such as Minneapolis, Duluth, Green Bay, Fargo, Milwaukee, and Chicago.
Why It Matters
This event marks the first sizable influx of Canadian wildfire smoke into the U.S. since 2023 when air quality reached dangerous levels for millions in the Northeast. The phenomenon is a growing concern due to the recurrence and intensity of North American wildfires, which scientists link to continued dry and hot conditions.
Atmospheric smoke and pollutants pose particular risks for those with respiratory issues and may also exacerbate ozone levels during heatwaves, amplifying public health risks as the U.S. heads into summer.
What To Know
According to AccuWeather, smoke will be most apparent during the upcoming dry and sunny weekend as steering winds direct plumes of smoke from wildfires burning across British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba into the northern Plains and Midwest regions.
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told Newsweek the most obvious impact from the smoke would be hazy skies, which could contribute to visually beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the affected areas.
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However, if the smoke falls lower in the atmosphere, it could contribute to air quality concerns, Kines said. People who are sensitive to poor air quality should monitor local guidance.
AccuWeather meteorologists said concentrations of smoke would reach the northern Plains—including North Dakota and Minnesota—before spreading southeast into Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan late this week, continuing into the weekend.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has already corroborated reports of campfire-like smells and sun-dimming effects in affected regions, especially across the Great Lakes, on Thursday.
The NWS advised the public to monitor real-time air quality using available online tools, noting that air pollution risks increase substantially when smoke drops to lower elevations.
Separately, meteorologists have noted that Saharan dust—fine particles blown across the Atlantic from Africa—may also enter southern parts of the U.S. later this week. While not directly tied to the current wildfire-smoke episode, Saharan dust events can contribute to hazy conditions and vivid sunsets, similar to wildfire smoke, but are not expected to directly impact the same Midwest states in the coming days.
What People Are Saying
AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said in a report: “Most of the time, the smoke will be high-flying and dim the sun, leading to vivid sunrises and sunsets and causing a hazy appearance to the sky overhead.”
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Adam Douty said in a report: “Most of these areas in the Midwest will have days where there is little or no rain around and the sun is out over the weekend. So the smoke will be more noticeable. The smoke may reach into the Northeast as well, but with extensive clouds and showers this weekend, the smoky haze may be mixed in and not so obvious.”
What Happens Next
Forecasts indicate that the affected states will experience hazy, sun-dimmed conditions through the weekend, with real-time air-quality monitoring recommended for residents.