Wildfire Smoke Drives Record Haze Across Manitoba, Nebraska, Iowa This Weekend

Much of the northern and central United States and parts of Canada are experiencing significant wildfire smoke and haze, leading to record-smoky conditions and air quality concerns. Areas such as Iowa, Nebraska, Vermont, Manitoba, and Winnipeg are all reporting persistent smoky haze that is impacting outdoor activities and air quality, with some regions issuing air quality alerts advising sensitive individuals to limit time outdoors. Winnipeg has seen its smokiest July on record, with 189 hours of smoke, and is nearing a record for the entire year, a trend echoed in Steinbach, Manitoba, where July also set a record for smoke hours. Meteorologists attribute the widespread smoke to severe wildfires across Canada and the U.S., with weak upper atmosphere winds causing smoke to linger, though gradual improvement is expected over the weekend in some areas. Weather conditions this weekend are generally mild and dry with some chances of rain and isolated severe thunderstorms in parts of Nebraska, but the main concern remains the smoky haze reducing air quality and visibility. Residents in affected areas are advised to take precautions, especially those with health concerns, and to plan outdoor activities accordingly, with some experts recommending avoiding outdoor exertion during peak smoke conditions.