Wildfire Smoke Threatens New York Days Before World Cup Final

The much-anticipated final World Cup match is set for Sunday in New Jersey. Spain will take on Argentina in what is sure to be a classic. Here is what you need to know about the forecast for both the championship contest and the match set to determine the third-place team.

Wildfire Smoke Biggest Concern for Final Match Between Spain and Argentina

All eyes will be on New Jersey on Sunday when Spain and Argentina face off at New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford at 3 pm EDT. This corner of the country has been experiencing hazardous air quality conditions in recent days as thick smoke from wildfires burning in Canada spills over the border and into the northern U.S.

Air quality alerts have been in place in a swath of land across the Upper Midwest, the Great Lakes, and the Northeast. The smoky conditions are particularly dangerous for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with underlying health conditions. Vulnerable individuals heading to East Rutherford may want to consider wearing an N95 mask.

A cold front pushing through the eastern U.S. could bring down humidity levels and temperatures prior to kickoff. While the front may also bring rain showers and thunderstorms on Saturday or early Sunday, the moisture is forecast to move out of the region before the afternoon game. The stream of precipitation will also help to clear out the smoke that has gripped the region over the last few days.

The forecast in East Rutherford on Sunday is calling for mostly sunny skies and highs that hover around the 80-degree mark. While the air quality is not expected to be as poor as it has been lately, areas of smoke and haze are possible at times throughout the day. You can expect winds out of the northwest at 10 to 15 mph.