The National Weather Service office in Wakefield has issued an Air Quality Alert for today (Friday). The smoke from Canadian wildfires has made its way to the surface where folks will be breathing in particulates. Outdoor activities may need to be curtailed today, especially for those who have breathing difficulties or are sensitive to allergens. Here's an air quality map showing conditions at 7 o'clock this morning (black star indicates Mecklenburg County):
The only "benefit" to the smoke is that it will reduce the heat available from the sun's rays. Temperatures today will top out in the mid-90s rather than challenging the triple digit mark. In addition, a "cold" front looks to push just south of the state line. That will lower dew points slightly, lessening that sticky feeling to the air by just a bit.
On Saturday that boundary will lift back northward as a warm front, carrying much of the near-surface smoke with it. Thus the air should be easier to breathe tomorrow. Both dew points and temperatures will be on the rise tomorrow, with local thermometers topping out in the upper 90s during the afternoon. The Storm Prediction Center also has the region under a Slight Risk - level 2 of 5 - for severe storms for late Saturday afternoon into the evening.
Another "cold" front will approach from the west on Sunday, bringing chances of more severe storms as that boundary interacts with the steamy conditions across the area. Sunday afternoon temperatures across Mecklenburg County look to top out in the low 90s before any storms arrive. In addition to lightning and localized flooding, the chief storm threat both Saturday and Sunday will be damaging straight-line winds.
To recap: minimize outdoor activities Friday, and keep eyes on and ears out for the possibility of storms Saturday and Sunday. If storms approach take shelter in a sturdy building.
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