More wildfire smoke expected in southern Alberta Tuesday with thunderstorms forecast to end the week

Incoming rain could help smoke situation. Jodi Hughes has a look at the five-day forecast from the Sky Watch Weather Centre.

As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, there were 65 active wildfires in Alberta with 24 of those considered to be “out of control.”

Air quality advisories and warnings were issued closest to the bulk of fires (in central and northern Alberta) due to dangerous levels of particulate, as well as poor visibility in those areas.

In the warning across northern Alberta on Tuesday, Environment and Climate Change Canada advised, “During heavy smoke conditions, everyone’s health is at risk regardless of their age or health status.”

The national weather agency also encouraged people in the affected areas to “limit time outdoors. Reschedule or cancel outdoor sports, activities and events.”

As of 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, the Air Quality Health Index rating in Calgary was four, or a moderate risk on the scale of one to 10+.

Calgary was not included in the air quality advisory that was updated around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, but that might change if the particulate levels continue to increase.

Special weather statements were also issued for most of southwestern British Columbia, including the B.C. interior, due to a prolonged period of elevated temperatures linked to a dominant ridge of high pressure that has also produced above seasonal temperatures in Alberta.

Temperatures are expected to remain above seasonal for most of Alberta on Tuesday and Wednesday, especially in the southernmost regions.

In Calgary, the daytime highs should reach 24 C both days compared to the average high of 20 C.

Thunderstorms are expected to track from southern British Columbia into southern Alberta on Wednesday, which will help push some of that smoke north and east.

The rain should also offer a reprieve as it drives particulate to the surface.

Rain will be fairly persistent from late Wednesday until the start of the weekend. Calgary could see as much as 20 millimetres of rain by the end of the week.

Temperatures will also moderate by the end of the week, but conditions are likely to remain unstable with more scattered showers and thunderstorms likely on Sunday and Monday.