Wildfire Smoke Returns To PA Skies Monday

PENNSYLVANIA — A hazy Monday is in store for parts of Pennsylvania after a series of storms over the weekend brought several inches of rain and caused dangerous flooding.

Smoke from the ongoing wildfires in Canada could cause deteriorating air quality in the state on Monday afternoon, said National Weather Service forecasters.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued a "Code Orange" air quality alert Monday and Tuesday for the Philadelphia region, and for the Lehigh Valley and Berks regions. Air quality indices are forecasted to hit the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" levels above 100 AQI.

Sensitive groups include children, the elderly, and people living with asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases.

Risky AQI, which may pose a hazard for people who are sensitive to air pollution, begins at values above 50. As of 1 p.m., the air quality in the Pittsburgh area is listed as "very unhealthy" with levels above 150, according to AirNow.gov.

Philadelphia's air quality is in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category, as are parts of Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. Other Philly suburbs are currently in the "moderate" range.

Check the current air quality in your town at AirNow.gov.

Monday is expected to see sunny - albeit hazy - afternoon skies with temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s.

“Although a cold front passed through the region on Sunday, temperatures will still be a few degrees above normal,” said NWS forecasters. “Though with the drier air, it should feel more comfortable today than it has the last few days.”

Another thunderstorm is expected to hit the state Tuesday afternoon, with between a tenth and quarter of an inch of precipitation expected, forecasters said.