Smoky Skies Could Remain a Problem for Northeast and Beyond

The Northeast is about to see an extended period of summer weather with dry and warm days on the horizon. While the region has seen hints of summer over the last few weeks, consecutive warm days have been few and far between. Here is a look at what to expect in the coming days from Mother Nature in the days ahead.

Change in the Weather Pattern in the Wings for the Northeast

The week got started on a cool and wet note for much of the Northeast, however, a change is on the way. New York City topped out with highs in the 60s on Monday with the mercury expected to inch up into the mid 70s on Tuesday. The upward trajectory of the temperatures will continue as the week progresses with readings in the 80s in the forecast for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Increasing humidity levels will bring the real feel temperatures up even further, potentially hovering in the 90s at times.

The Big Apple will need to get through one more day of unsettled weather on Tuesday. The forecast for this day is calling for periodic rain showers early in the day, amounting to about a quarter of an inch of accumulation.

The rain will linger throughout the day on Tuesday to the north in Boston. Like New York City, Bean Town should expect about a quarter of an inch of rain before the moisture machine turns off. It will be cooler in this part of the region with highs that top out in the low 60s. The readings will not change noticeably overnight, bottoming out at about the 60-degree mark.

While spotty shower activity could temporarily delay outdoor plans on Wednesday and Thursday, most of the rain is expected to clear out late Tuesday. The result will be at least three days of mostly dry conditions for the waterlogged Northeast.

Thursday is shaping up to be the warmest day of the week in places such as Washington, D.C. The nation's capital is forecast to reach a high of about 92 degrees under mostly sunny skies. After another day in the upper 80s on Friday, the mercury will return to the upper 70s over the weekend as the next chance of moisture fires up.

When to Expect the Next Round of Rain

The long-range forecast models are predicting that the next wave of moisture will begin to build on Friday over the central Appalachians and across to the lower portions of the mid-Atlantic. This line of moisture will continue to stretch to the north over the weekend, eventually reaching parts of the upper mid-Atlantic, the Northeast, and the southern tier of New England.

For example, New York City is expecting the rain to return just in time for the weekend. The Saturday forecast is calling for cloudy skies and occasional rain showers. Temperatures that will climb to the 90-degree mark on Thursday will struggle to inch up out of the upper 60s on Saturday.

The chance of rain is not as high for Upstate New York and into the far northern reaches of New England. This zone could remain dry through Sunday, equating to five straight days of no precipitation.

The warmer and drier weather pattern is good news for the construction industry and agricultural interests. Both of these sectors have suffered negative impacts as a result of the rainy weather as of late. For instance, a shortened growing season may force some farmers to alternate crops. The frequent bouts of rain may also necessitate that farmers use expensive chemicals to sustain the health of the crops.

The overly saturated soil has also raised the risk of flash flooding. Soil that is too wet is not able to take on additional moisture, triggering immediate and potentially dangerous runoff when fresh waves of rain move through.

Smoky and Hazy Conditions Will Persist in Spite of the Sunshine

While the chances of moisture will decrease as the week progresses, the skies may not be completely blue. The smoke coming from the wildfires burning to the north in Canada will continue to filter across the border and into the northern U.S. Forecasters are warning that the smoke may be thick enough to slide down into the lower levels of the atmosphere, resulting in a noticeable haze. Depending on how much smoke makes it to the U.S., it may be enough to block some of the sun's rays, causing temperatures to fall a few degrees before the forecast highs.

The hazy conditions that lead to colorful sunsets and sunrises may be pretty to look at, however, they also come with their own set of risks. The smoke can cause irritation in the lungs, eyes, and nose.

Forecasters note that the smoke will be the greatest concern on days when the winds are coming in from the northwest. These winds will be able to bring the smoke from the largest fires burning in central Canada and deposit its irritants over a widespread area. Winds coming out of the south tend to bring up moisture-rich air from the Gulf, naturally enhancing the humidity levels and creating a more typical summer season haze in the air. Lastly, the southern U.S. will be under the gun for hazy conditions as a result of the dusty air coming over the Atlantic from the Sahara Desert.

Those in the Midwest and the Northeast may be waiting until later this summer for the clear blue skies to return to the region.

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