Over 900 Canadian Wildfires Push Smoke into U.S., Level 3 Storm Warning Issued for Weekend

According to the U.S. Storm Prediction Center, over 900 active wildfires in Canada are pushing smoke into the U.S. Northeast and Midwest this weekend, with air quality expected to deteriorate throughout the region. Smoke bands driven by northwest winds are entering the Midwest and upper Great Lakes area, with poor air quality conditions forecast to persist through the weekend.

The center has issued a Level 3 (highest Level 5) severe convective weather warning for the Ohio River Valley, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions, with major cities including New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. along Interstate 95 at risk. Strong thunderstorms are also expected in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Buffalo.