Wildfires in Canada create hazy conditions for Louisville, Ohio Valley

Splashes of grey signaling air quality alerts dotted the National Weather Service's forecast map Tuesday morning, including spots in Southwestern Kentucky and nearby cities in Ohio.

Kentuckians trying to get outside during the early summer weeks may have noticed "warm temperatures and hazy conditions" in the area, according to the weather service, and it's from smoke trickling into the Ohio Valley from fires in Nova Scotia, an Eastern Canadian province. Canada has endured nearly 2,000 fires this year that have burned up more than 3 million acres, according to the Associated Press.

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A forest fire in New Jersey has added to the conditions, with the weather service issuing air quality alerts and naming fire weather as concerns for the Great Lakes and Northeast United States. The fire was contained as of Saturday.

Some fires on Canada's Atlantic Coast forced thousands from their homes, though it has been contained after breaking out about a week ago, according to the Associated Press. A second fire, however, the largest in Nova Scotia's history, is still burning out of control, covering 97 square miles and destroying at least 50 homes and cottages as of Sunday morning.

Wednesday could bring respite from the heat and smoke for Louisville with a 70% chance of showers, according to the weather service. The high temperature is forecasted at 76 degrees while the week looks bright and sunny until Sunday.

What's the weather in Louisville this week?

Tuesday night: A 30% chance of showers, mainly after 5 a.m. Increasing clouds with a low around 62. Northwest winds around 7 mph.

Wednesday: Showers likely mainly between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Cloudy then gradually becoming mostly sunny with a high near 76. Northeast winds around 6 mph becoming calm in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear with a low around 54. North winds around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday: High of 79 and sunny with an evening low of around 54.

Friday: Sunny with a high near 83 and a low around 57.

Saturday: Sunny with a high near 87 and a low around 64. A 40% chance of showers in the evening mainly after 2 a.m.

Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

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The Associated Press and Cincinnati Enquirer contributed. Contact reporter Rae Johnson at RNJohnson@gannett.com. Follow them on Twitter at @RaeJ_33.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville weather: Canada wildfires creates air quality alert