A dangerous situation is brewing in the skies over Greater Akron.
Smoke from wildfires in Canada will create what officials are calling “hazardous” conditions as air quality in the region will be impacted.
The Air Quality Alert issued on Wednesday has been extended through Friday.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency says air quality will be unhealthy throughout the state as the smoke from the fires will become visible in the skies that will have a milky appearance.
Greater Akron remained under a heat advisory from noon Wednesday through 8 p.m. Wednesday night.
With highs well into the 90s, the National Weather Service warns the so-called real feel temperatures of up to 104 are possible.
Temperatures in the 90s are expected to stick around through Friday when the chance of rain and storms returns for the weekend.
The Air Quality Alert includes Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit counties
The muggy conditions are making air quality potentially unhealthy for those with breathing issues along with the elderly and young children.
When will the wildfire smoke arrive in Akron?
Things get a bit more complicated on Thursday when smoke from wildfires in Canada are expected to settle over Northeast Ohio.
The weather service says the smoke that could be visible in the sky should arrive as early as 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Areas of smoke will continue to hover over the region on Thursday.
Officials say vulnerable folks should stay indoors if possible.
Residents can also help by:
Akron opens cooling center
Akron has extended hours at Summit Lake Community Center on Wednesday, July 15, as a cooling center.
The center at 380 W. Crosier St. will be open between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday.
All other city of Akron community centers will be open during their normal business hours.
Akron weather radar
Akron weather forecast
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 99. West wind 5 to 8 mph.
Wednesday night: Patchy smoke after 9 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Light and variable wind.
Thursday: Areas of smoke. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 89. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday: A chance of showers before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Akron weather hourly
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: ‘Hazardous’ air quality expected in Akron from Canadian wildfire smoke
Reporting by Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
