Canadian Wildfires Having An Impact On Air Quality In Upper Cumberland

Wildfires in Canada are having an effect on the skies over the Upper Cumberland.

National Weather Service Nashville Meteorologist Brittney Whitehead said even with the fires being as far away as Canada, the haze in the air is showing its effect.

“We actually have a pretty strong low-pressure system that has been circulating over the northeast United States, and that’s actually pulling in that smoke and haze from the wildfires,” Whitehead said. “And sending it through the northeast States and even as far down as Middle Tennessee where we’ve seen effects of that.”

Whitehead said over the summer when there are fewer cold fronts moving through, air quality can suffer more from events such as wildfires. She said when smoke stays in the sky for a long time, it can prevent showers and storms from forming.

“When the systems over the U.S. are not changing as much we do seem to get kind of a stagnant air,” Whitehead said. “We get the same kind of flow over portions of the united states which could keep that smoke and haze in place for a longer period of time.”

Whitehead said the haze is expected to stay throughout the overnight hours Wednesday and most of the day Thursday. She said an upcoming pressure change could bring an end to the conditions.

“We do have a frontal system that is moving through that should help to clear a little of that smoke and haze out by Thursday afternoon,” Whitehead said