SYRACUSE, N.Y. – After smoke-filled skies the past two days, this Friday turns a bit brighter thanks to a cold front that shifted the wind. The light wind from the north and northwest will bring down the Air Quality Index for Friday to more moderate levels, falling from close to 200 to near 100, and skies will eventually be mostly sunny for the later afternoon and early evening. There are no Air Quality Alerts as of Friday morning for Central New York, but still, a small number of people who are unusually sensitive to smoke may have a few health concerns.
Looking more regionally on the air quality forecast map for Friday, the level of smoke continues to be very dangerous for millions of Americans, stretching from Minnesota through the southern Great Lakes states, into Maryland.
FRIDAY: Improved air quality; there are no longer air quality alerts in effect, but it is not completely perfect. The AQI is forecast to be at a moderate level, near 100. Partly sunny with some middle and upper-level clouds around before turning mostly sunny this afternoon, and a dry day. Not as hot but still feeling warm with low humidity, very dry with dew points between 50-55 degrees. Wind: NW 3-10 MPH. High: 82.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy and likely staying dry. It will turn near-calm for a while and comfortable overnight. Some very light smoke in the air will worsen to more moderate levels late at night as the wind shifts. Wind: NNE 0-5 MPH in the evening, then ESE 0-8 MPH. Low: 63.
SATURDAY: Partly sunny, an isolated light shower possible, but mostly dry early in the day with some thicker smoke back near the surface once again. Then turning mostly cloudy wth scattered showers and thunderstorms developing mid-morning ahead of a cold front. One or two storms could become severe by middle to late afternoon with damaging wind gusts that could knock down a few trees, flash flooding that may have water covering roads, hail, and even some spin possible that could trigger a tornado. Becoming breezy, warm, feeling a bit hot out under humid conditions. Smoke levels should drop by the evening due to the rain and a wind shift. Wind: SE 5-10 MPH early, then SSW 10-20 with gusts to 30+ MPH. High: 86. Low: 62.
SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny with spotty or isolated lighter rain showers ending by 8, 9, 10 AM, then decreasing clouds to a mostly sunny later afternoon. Slightly cooler and less humid with some improved air quality versus Saturday as well. A better night sleeping with the air off and windows open. High: 75. Low: 55.
Here’s a detailed view of our weekend weather:
MONDAY: Mostly sunny sky for most of the day before clouds increase at sunset. Warm, but still not humid. Turning a bit breezy for the evening. High: 82. Low: 67…