Edmonton weather: Warm, sunny and smoky today, turning wetter later in the week

As CTV Edmonton's Cory Edel reports, Tuesday will be smoky but Edmonton will get some much needed rain later in the week.

A cool and smoky morning in the Edmonton region.

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As expected, wildfire smoke has blown into the area and Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) readings this morning are in the 10+ very high risk range downtown with some 7s (high risk) in western and southern parts of the area.

The smoke modelling shows some varying smoke levels throughout the day, with a bit of improvement by tonight.

But, I think we’ll be in the high to very high risk range throughout today.

Tonight and Wednesday should be in the moderate to high risk range, although there’s some uncertainty with that forecast due to the slight chance of a shower early Wednesday morning.

It doesn’t look like that’ll be enough rain to clean the air, and it may actually draw some smoke down closer to the surface. So, we can’t rule out a few hours of very high risk AQHI readings Wednesday.

Temperatures should climb to around 23 C for afternoon highs today and Wednesday and then a slightly cooler and wetter pattern takes over the end of the week.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday all have a good chance of showers or periods of rain and daytime highs will depend on the timing of that precipitation. I think we’ll end up somewhere between 17 C and 20 C for daytime highs Thursday-Saturday.

After a gusty day Monday, we’ll get some calmer conditions for today and Wednesday. Thursday looks to be gusty once again.

Here’s the forecast for Edmonton and area:

Today - Sunny & smoky. AQHI in the High Risk to Very High range

Light wind.

High: 23

Tonight - Increasing cloud overnight. Smoky.

9pm: 18

Wednesday - Mix of sun & cloud. 30% chance of an early-morning shower.

AQHI in the Moderate to High Risk range.

Morning Low: 11

Afternoon High: 23

Thursday - Mostly cloudy. 60% chance of afternoon and/or late-day showers.

Morning Low: 12

Afternoon High: 19

Friday - Cloudy. 60% chance of showers or periods of rain.

Morning Low: 12

Afternoon High: 19

Saturday - Mostly cloudy. 40% chance of morning showers.

Morning Low: 12

Afternoon High: 19

Sunday - Mix of sun & cloud.

Morning Low: 10

Afternoon High: 21