Update: As of Wednesday morning, Environment and Climate Change Canada has retracted its air quality warning for the southeast area.
Local smoke is still present in the forecast for the Estevan area today, but leaves the forecast on Thursday.
The current forecast has rain coming in later today in the main seat, but the moisture's set to be replaced by some smoke that's heading towards the southeast. The hazy weather will be followed by some potential hail and strong winds tonight as cooler air settles in the southeast.
Environment and Climate Change Canada Meteorologist Crawford Luke talks about the system and what we should expect in the air soon.
"Not there yet for Estevan, but there's a lot of smoke just north of there, and just kind of sitting along this cold front that's just kind of slowly sinking south. Once we kind of get rid of the system that we're dealing with today that's bringing some rain, the smoke is going to come in behind it, and it looks like it's going to stick around until at least Thursday, at which time the winds will start to shift around to be out of the southwest, and it'll help blow it back north and clear the air a little bit in the southeast."
It'll be more than just a haze in the air, according to Luke, as he thinks people will need to watch for any warnings going out as the smoke creeps in.
"I would expect, you know, an air quality warning is probably going to be issued. We have a lot of the province under an air quality warning right now, and right now it seems like the worst of it's kind of around Moose Jaw, just based on the sensors we have.
"It looks like it's going to be pretty bad, like we've got a 10-plus in our air quality forecast. That's the highest risk that we can forecast, and some of these sensors we have that are a little further north right now are kind of suggesting that it is indeed that bad in reality. So it could be a tough go for breathing for a little bit."
With all that smoke in the air, Luke advises people to keep an eye on any outdoor activities and to stay inside when possible.
"As much as possible, try to avoid strenuous outdoor activity and try to take frequent breaks in a well-ventilated indoor space if you're able to. If you have to be outside, if you have to be working outside especially, really consider wearing a mask just to try to prevent the smoke particles from getting into your lungs and such."
Luke says that anyone looking to hold outdoor events like barbecues should wait until the end of the week, as their forecast shows skies will be clear with temperatures rising by the weekend.