RICHMOND, Va. – Skies across Virginia will stay hazy through the weekend as upper-level smoke from Canadian wildfires drifts into the region, giving sunrises and sunsets a vivid glow but little effect on overall air quality.
According to the National Weather Service in Wakefield, the smoke remains high above ground level and is not expected to create widespread health issues. Instead, Virginians should prepare for a dimmed midday sun and deeper reds and oranges during dawn and dusk.
The smoke is being carried by upper-level winds from large fires burning in western Canada. The hazy conditions are most noticeable in Richmond, Norfolk, and Fredericksburg, as well as along the I-95 corridor. Air monitoring agencies including Virginia DEQ and Maryland’s Department of the Environment report no major air quality alerts at this time, though sensitive groups are encouraged to check updates if conditions change.
Drivers may notice a slight glare during commutes, especially in the evening when haze and low sun combine. Outdoor events and weekend travel should not be disrupted, but organizers are watching visibility for Saturday night football games and Sunday beach traffic near Virginia Beach.
The weather service says haze could persist into early next week, with the most vivid skies expected through Sunday evening.
