(File photo/CKOM News)

By Brent Bosker, CKOM News

May long forecast calls for hot temperatures mixed with smoke

May 19, 2023 | 9:43 AM

The weather is co-operating this year for people hoping to enjoy the May long weekend outdoors.

But despite the hot and sunny forecast, Environment Canada says we can expect more rounds of smoke from the wildfires burning in northern Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Air quality statements continued Friday for northern areas while the weather agency reissued alerts for west-central Saskatchewan.

Meteorologist Brian Luzny expects the smoke will drift into Saskatoon and Regina at some point over the weekend.

“Unfortunately (it’s) not going away anytime soon,” Luzny said, pointing to a cold front that will push the smoke down from the north.

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“For Saskatoon, (it’s) probably going to stay hazy (Friday) and potentially getting worse (Friday) night and Saturday where you might have that smell of smoke in the air.”

The smoke will take longer to reach Regina.

Luzny said wind direction is the main factor in how much smoke we see.

“Direction of the wind is one of the major influences on whether we’re seeing sunny skies, hazy skies, where the smoke is aloft or sometimes where the smoke mixes down to the surface. You get reduced visibility and the smell of smoke in the air,” Luzny said.

“For at least the next couple days you’re either going to be hazy skies or local smoke scenario.”

Temperatures for Saskatoon and Regina are forecast to be in the mid-20s C on Saturday and Sunday and crest at 30 C on Monday.