Hazy skies over Massachusetts, attributed to smoke from Canadian wildfires, are expected to persist for another day before clouds gather and bring the potential for thunderstorms later this week. According to the National Weather Service, smoke levels will be particularly noticeable in southern New England on Tuesday night, although most of the region is predicted to remain dry with some isolated convective showers possible in northwestern Massachusetts.
Nighttime temperatures are expected to drop into the mid-50s to low 60s, while Wednesday promises a return to warmer conditions with highs reaching the mid-70s to nearly 80 degrees. An Air Quality Alert, which was in place due to the presence of fine particulates from the wildfire smoke, will lift at midnight into Wednesday. The alert warned that the air quality could be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, elderly individuals, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
While the haze might still be visible, forecasters predict a decrease in smoke concentrations compared to the preceding days, though the filtered light may contribute to cooler perceived temperatures. A rise in humidity is anticipated on Wednesday, with parts of Western Massachusetts possibly experiencing showers later in the day and fog becoming more prominent overnight.
The forecast for Thursday suggests slightly warmer temperatures ranging from 75 to 81 degrees, accompanied by a high-pressure system forming over the Gulf of Maine. This may lead to predominantly dry conditions towards the end of the week, although there remains a chance for showers and typical thunderstorms on Thursday. Following this pattern, Friday could see temperatures rise into the low 80s, with the weekend potentially reaching the mid-80s and temperatures soaring back into the 90s by Sunday, alongside increasing humidity.
As forecasters highlighted, the humidity could reignite chances for afternoon showers and thunderstorms as the new week begins. This evolving weather pattern serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of our environment and the importance of staying alert to changing conditions.