Tracking smoky skies, mild and dry weekend

Poor air quality is continuing to linger across the Mid-Missouri River Valley Friday, as smoke from wildfires in Canada blows into the region. An Air Quality Alert has been issued for the Kansas City metro, and all points north of the Iowa border through Saturday as northeasterly winds will persist allowing smoky and hazy skies to remain in place. Sensitive groups could be affected by the poor air quality before conditions improve Saturday night and Sunday, as winds shift direction.

Aside from smoky skies to start off the weekend, below average temperatures and mainly dry conditions will prevail through Sunday with rain chances remaining slim to none. Upper 70s Friday afternoon will give way to 60s and upper 50s overnight, with passing clouds, light northeasterly breezes, and haze/smoke continuing. Saturday will bring more periods of haze and smoke, along with partly to mostly sunny skies and afternoon highs in the upper 70s. Winds late Saturday will shift from northeast to southeast at 5 to 10 mph, allowing air quality to improve. Aside from a 10% chance of stray showers Sunday, dry skies will finish out the weekend with a mix of sun and clouds and afternoon highs in the mid to upper 70s.