When will Michigan skies clear? Wildfire smoke could depart temporarily
Air Quality conditions to slowly improve Friday
The Air Quality Alert remains in place, but it won't be quite as bad by Friday evening.
(FOX 2) - Might there be some relief on the way?
Caught between extreme heat, hazy skies, and some of the world's worst air quality, Michigan is desperate for some respite from what has been a brutal stretch of weather in July.
The good news is that clear skies are on the way. The bad news is, it may not last long.
Wildfire smoke clearing out
Big picture view:
The air quality alert has been extended through Saturday.
RELATED: Detroit air quality ranked worst in world again Friday
Timeline:
Better air is in the forecast later Friday evening, and Saturday we'll wake up with much clearer skies.
But the haze is expected to return, though not as extreme, Saturday evening.
Sunday could see the lingering effects of the smoke.
Where are the Canada wildfires burning?
According to the Canadian government, there are more than 850 active wildfires across Canada as of Thursday. Winds are carrying the smoke southeast from Ontario down to the Midwest and Northeast.
Air Quality Alert in effect
Big picture view:
An Air Quality Effect remains in effect through Saturday.
The 2.5pm is the result of wildfires burning up north and being released into the atmosphere. At the levels Michigan is seeing, it's harmful to even healthy people to breathe in.
Recommendations
Everyone should seek cleaner air indoors and keep activity levels low.
While indoors, take action to improve the indoor air quality such as: closing windows and minimize opening of doors, if HVAC systems are not equipped with MERV-13 filters or higher, use portable air cleaners, avoid activities that make indoor air quality worse: burning candles, using vacuums without a HEPA filter, using gas stoves more than necessary, smoking, spraying aerosol products.
If you have to be outdoors for short periods of time, your advised to wear an N-95 mask or respirator.
The Source: FOX 2's meteorology team and the National Weather Service was cited for this story.