Wildfire Haze From Canada, Then 'Spectacular' Weather For Chicago Area

ILLINOIS — The weekend will kick off the start of warm, dry and summery weather for the Chicago area, after Canadian wildfires cause some hazy skies in parties of Illinois.

In addition to the rain on Friday, Chicago-area residents may see some smoky skies, due to wildfire smoke from Canada. The weather service advised limiting outdoor activities if you have respiratory problems, and officials said smoke from the fires could linger for days in parts of the U.S.

"The heaviest smoke concentrations should shift further east into the Midwest later in the day," CNN is reporting, affecting areas including Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis.

Friday will have scattered showers throughout the day, but nicer weather will begin on Saturday. The National Weather Service Chicago said on its Twitter that "the weekend through next week look spectacular with dry conditions, comfortable humidity levels, light winds and warm temperatures."

Smokey skies could also return Sunday and linger through next week.

Temps on Saturday will have a high of 72, and a high of 79, according to the weather service.

AccuWeather gave a high of 70 on Saturday for Joliet, and said it will be "the start of an extended stretch of dry weather." The private forecaster has no rain in the forecast through next week.

The beginning of the work week has temperatures creeping into the 80s, with a high of 82 on Monday and a high of 85 on Tuesday.