MI Could See Smokey Sunset Thursday From Wildfire Smoke: AccuWeather

MICHIGAN — Smoke from burning wildfires in the Northwest could drift into the Midwest, creating hazy skies above Michigan this week, AccuWeather meteorologists said.

The smoke from 93 wildfires burning more than 800,000 acres in Idaho and western Montana was expected to be most pronounced on Thursday, just as clear and sunny conditions were expected across most of Michigan, AccuWeather meteorologists said.

The calm weather forecast across Michigan, including the Metro Detroit area, means the smoke could create a colorful sunset Thursday, AccuWeather meteorologists said. The smokey sunset could turn the sun into a darkish, red-orange color, as the smoke subdues its brightness.

"Colors throughout the sky will be more vivid when the sun is closer to the horizon in the morning and in the evening," Meteorologist Adam Sadvary said. "The smoke particles are able to scatter more of the sun's radiation, bouncing blue-wavelength light back toward space and letting more red-wavelength light through the atmosphere."

High winds last pushed wildfire smoke into Michigan in 2018, creating a variety of orange and reddish colors in the sunsets.