How a weather system may clear some smoke but keep the Maritimes tinder dry

A dense haze of wildfire smoke is present over parts of the Maritimes. Meteorologist Kalin Mitchell has what to expect from it for the remainder of the week.

Hazy conditions developed aloft of the Maritimes this past weekend as smoke from western Canadian wildfires moved overhead. High pressure will move some of the densest smoke away from the region but at the same time keep much needed rain away from the Maritimes this week.

Smoke and air quality

The densest wildfire smoke is located over Nova Scotia on Tuesday. A grey tinge to the sky and a bit closer to the surface compared to other instances of it being present over the past few months.

Air quality levels in the region are generally forecast as level two or three by Environment Canada for Tuesday. Those are considered “low risk” categories. The smoke does appear a bit closer to the surface for parts of Atlantic coastal Nova Scotia and the southwest parts of the province. The Halifax area was upgraded to a “4” or moderate health risk category late Tuesday morning.

Private air quality monitoring organizations such as IQAir have some monitoring sites listed as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” in the Halifax area and the South Shore when it comes to the small particulate matter that comprises wildfire smoke.

“Sensitive groups” would include those with pre-existing respiratory issues and those individuals should monitor for symptoms and possibly limit time outside exposed to the air. The particulate matter present in the air is generally reduced (though not completely eliminated) when indoors.

Smoke forecast

An area of high pressure moving over the Maritimes out of Quebec will force that thicker plume of smoke further south and east of the Maritimes Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

That high pressure system will be in place much of this week and should prevent another thick plume from arriving.

A thinner, higher haze may return Thursday and Friday of this week.

Dry, dry, dry

Unfortunately, the high pressure that may clear a bit of the smoke will also keep the region absent of much needed rain this week.

The high pressure is even strong enough to keep Tropical Storm Dexter, which has developed just north of Bermuda, far to the east of the region.

Dry summer days with high temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s expected straight through Friday. There is some indication that the high pressure may move far enough east of the Maritimes to allow for some weekend showers. At this time though it isn’t much more than a low chance of showers for New Brunswick Saturday and Saturday night into Sunday for Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

Maritimers need to adhere strictly to any burning bans and restrictions as well as any water conservation measures put in place. Even areas not under official water conservation measures should, when possible, take steps to reduce water usage.