Wilmington, North Carolina – Skies turned hazy across North Carolina Monday as smoke from Canadian wildfires pushed into the Southeast, affecting visibility and raising air quality concerns across the state.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, GOES-19 satellite imagery shows large plumes of smoke drifting from Canada into the Deep South, Plains, and East Coast. In the Carolinas, this has mostly resulted in widespread hazy skies with limited sun and a dull gray hue dominating the afternoon hours.
Residents in Raleigh, Fayetteville, and Charlotte may notice reduced visibility, especially in the early morning and late evening. While the smoke is mostly aloft and not triggering widespread health alerts yet, sensitive groups — including children, seniors, and those with respiratory issues — should limit prolonged outdoor activity.
Drivers are advised to use headlights during hazy periods, especially along I-40 and I-95 where visibility may briefly dip below normal levels. The haze is expected to linger through at least Tuesday evening, with changing wind patterns possibly bringing temporary relief by midweek.
Air quality levels could worsen if the smoke thickens or descends closer to the surface. Updates from the NWS and NCDEQ are expected as the situation evolves.
