Smoke and haze from wildfires that burned in southern California and around metro Phoenix clouded Valley skies Wednesday morning before dissipating as the day progressed.
That daily pattern was expected to continue until the southern California fires subside, said Ted Whittock, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
A layer of smoke floated at about 20,000 feet Wednesday, according to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
The air quality was rated moderate Wednesday but was expected to improve Thursday, said Matthew Pace, a meteorologist with the department.
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But dust was expected to blow into the Valley on Thursday afternoon, which would raise additional air quality concerns, Pace said.
Winds between 15 and 20 mph in the Phoenix metro area brought dust Wednesday but also pushed wildfire smoke in and out of the state, he said.
On Thursday, a breezy day was expected again as winds could reach between 20 and 30 mph, he said.