OHIO VALLEY — Residents across the Ohio Valley may notice hazy skies again this week as smoke from large wildfires burning in the western United States drifts into the region.
The haze returned Monday after first becoming noticeable over the weekend. Unlike earlier this month, when smoke originated from wildfires in Canada, the latest plume is primarily tied to fires burning in Washington and Oregon.
Meteorologists say upper-level winds are carrying smoke thousands of miles across the country, allowing it to spread over the Ohio Valley while remaining high in the atmosphere.
The smoky conditions are expected to continue through Tuesday, creating hazy sunrises and sunsets across the region. However, forecasters say the smoke is staying well above ground level, meaning air quality has not been significantly affected at this time.
Rain showers and thunderstorms expected Monday night into Tuesday should help remove some of the smoke from the atmosphere and improve visibility over the next few days.
Forecasters note that additional rounds of haze remain possible in the coming weeks as long as western wildfires continue burning and weather patterns continue steering smoke eastward into the Ohio Valley.
