Pueblo, Colorado – Smoky skies have returned to southern Colorado today as wildfire smoke from western Canada rides the upper-level northwest wind flow into the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Pueblo, haze is expected across the Front Range and southeast Colorado through Friday evening. While the smoke will be lighter here, the most severe conditions are developing across the Upper Midwest, including parts of Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, where air quality may deteriorate significantly into Saturday.
Current satellite modeling shows vertically integrated smoke concentrations peaking Friday afternoon and evening over the central U.S., with high-density plumes tracking southeastward. In Colorado, visibility may be reduced in areas like Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and La Junta, especially during the afternoon.
Residents with respiratory conditions are advised to limit time outdoors, keep windows closed, and run air filtration if available. Outdoor burning and heavy exertion are discouraged during smoky periods.
Smoke is expected to linger through early Saturday, with additional advisories possible if winds shift or fires intensify in Canada.
