Less wildfire smoke expected in Calgary this weekend

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — Wildfire smoke is expected to ease up this weekend in and around Calgary, meaning improved air quality.

However, as wildfires burn to the west and southwest of our city, Meteorologist Michael Kuss says we could experience smoke, at different intensities, all summer long.

“Now, the dominant wind pattern in the upper parts of the atmosphere out of the west and that continues to draw in some of that B.C. wildfire smoke, but at the surface, we’ll see more of a southeasterly wind for a good chunk of the weekend especially late Saturday and into Sunday,” he said.

RELATED:

• Heavy smoke in Calgary difficult for homeless population: Advocate

• Smoke, COVID-19 have experts divided on increased demand for HEPA filters

• Smoke can have health impact on pets too, Humane Society warns

“So although we may see some fog in the morning, the smoke shouldn’t be quite as intense.”

Environment Canada has Calgary’s Air Quality Health Index rated as posing a low or moderate risk.

Kuss explains upper-level winds are mainly going to be westerly, meaning hazy conditions higher up.

RELATED:

• Weather app giving a not-so-accurate forecast? Here’s why.

• ‘Defining issue’: Federal environment minister says extreme weather a wake-up call

• Expert says hazy, smoky conditions indicative of climate change

“But the smoke not necessarily filtering down to the surface,” he said.

“Late in the day on Saturday and into Sunday, because surface winds are mainly going to be out of the east-southeast, that will bring in some more humid air, but not quite as smoke at the low levels.”