by GREEN BAY, Wis. – Residents across northeastern Wisconsin, including Green Bay and surrounding areas, are under an extended Air Quality Alert as wildfire smoke continues to blanket the region. The alert, originally set to expire Monday at noon, is now expected to last through Tuesday morning, according to local weather authorities.
The persistent haze is the result of ongoing wildfires burning in Canada and parts of the western United States, which are sending plumes of smoke drifting across the Midwest. Combined with calm winds and stable atmospheric conditions, the smoke has become trapped closer to the ground, elevating particulate matter levels to potentially harmful concentrations.
Current Weather Conditions
Overnight, skies will be mostly clear with lows dipping into the 50s, though patchy fog is possible early Tuesday morning. By afternoon, hazy sunshine is expected, with highs in the low to mid-80s. Despite the sunshine, the lingering smoke will keep air quality conditions unhealthy for sensitive groups for most of the day.
“The smoke will remain in place throughout tonight and into tomorrow morning, gradually thinning out by late Tuesday,” meteorologists reported.
Health Precautions During Air Quality Alerts
Officials are urging residents to limit outdoor exposure, especially those in sensitive groups, including:
- Children
- Elderly individuals
- People with respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, or COPD
- Heart disease patients
Here are the recommendations to follow:
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activity, especially during peak hours (midday to evening)
- Stay indoors with windows and doors closed
- Run air purifiers or air conditioning on a recirculating mode
- Monitor local air quality through trusted weather sources or mobile apps like AirNow
- Wear N95 or KN95 masks if extended outdoor exposure is unavoidable
Week Ahead: Haze, Heat, and Humidity
Looking ahead, Tuesday will start smoky but see gradual improvement by the afternoon. Expect a mix of sun and clouds with highs again in the low to mid-80s.
By Wednesday, smoke levels are expected to ease, although a small chance of afternoon rain remains in the forecast. The remainder of the week brings a new weather concern: rising heat and humidity.
- Thursday and Friday could see isolated storms with highs in the mid-to-upper 80s and dew points nearing 70, making for muggy and uncomfortable conditions.
- The best chance for widespread rain and storms arrives Saturday, as a frontal system approaches.
- If that front stalls, rain could linger into Sunday, though current models keep the day mostly dry.
Why the Smoke Matters
This summer has seen an increase in smoke-related air quality alerts across the Midwest and Northeast due to an active wildfire season in Canada’s Alberta and Quebec provinces. Long-range transport of smoke has become more frequent due to changing climate patterns, and experts warn these events may become more common in coming years.
The fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in wildfire smoke can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, making it especially hazardous for individuals with existing health conditions. While the skies may appear hazy, even moderate levels of PM2.5 can cause eye irritation, coughing, fatigue, and difficulty breathing.
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