Smoky skies expected to get smokier today

Air quality in the Okanagan, already poor due to smoke from wildfires burning in B.C. and the northwestern U.S., is about to get a lot worse.

Smoky conditions improved slightly from high on the weekend to moderate on Tuesday, but the positive shift is not expected to last, Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa Ervin said Tuesday morning.

The improvement in air quality Tuesday was due to a shift in the wind to a northeasterly breeze, pushing the smoke toward the Coast, said Ervin.

However, this afternoon, the winds are expected to switch back to a southwesterly breeze over the Southern Interior, causing a deterioration in air quality.

“We’re expecting air quality to deteriorate starting (today), continuing to Thursday,” said Ervin.

Starting Thursday night, a cold front is expected to sweep through the province.

“We are expecting some showers, which is good, beginning Thursday night, continuing to Friday, and at least a chance of showers lingering through the weekend,” said Ervin.

Rain can help clear the smoke particles out of the air, but with the cold front comes even more risk, said Ervin.

“As the (cold) front passes, there will be a risk of thunderstorms Thursday night and Friday, so the potential for new fire starts is there.”