EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Meteorologists predict that the smoky haze caused by Canadian wildfires, which has been dominating the skyline across the Northeast, will mostly dissipate from the New Jersey area by Sunday. This clearing is anticipated just in time for the World Cup final, aided by thunderstorms sweeping through the region.
Despite this optimistic forecast, warnings regarding unhealthy air quality persisted across a large portion of the United States on Saturday. At MetLife Stadium, the venue for the final match, heavy rain and thunder unfolded. State police advised spectators to vacate their seats and seek shelter. As rain poured from above, ponchos were distributed to volunteers and staff scrambling for cover under the consistently murky gray sky that had lingered for several days.
On Saturday, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill cautioned residents about the potential for severe weather conditions, including damaging winds, tornadoes, flash floods, and large hail. The storms impeded schedules, halting Spain’s training session against Argentina at a nearby location due to nearby lightning. FIFA maintained communication with local authorities to evaluate the dual impacts of the wildfire smoke and severe weather on the match conditions at MetLife Stadium.
Storms will help clear the air
Tyler Roys, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, stated that the passing storm front should largely clear the Northeast of smoke before the Spain versus Argentina final. The World Cup matches are held at MetLife Stadium, temporarily branded as the New York/New Jersey Stadium, which features an open-air design.
Roys further commented, “There might be a hint of lingering smoke creating some haze, but it would be barely noticeable. The thick smoke causing significant air quality issues isn’t expected to affect New York City or much of the Northeast.”
Meteorologist says the air quality for the game ‘won’t be dangerous’
WFLA-TV Chief Meteorologist and Climate Specialist Jeff Berardelli, in Tampa, Florida, echoed that, saying the storm front would “sweep the atmosphere clean,” leaving only a thin smoke that World Cup spectators may still smell in the air.
The air quality index shows an improvement from unhealthy air for sensitive groups on Saturday to “moderate” air quality Sunday in East Rutherford, which means little to no health risk for the general public.
“It won’t be dangerous anymore,” Berardelli said. “It’s going to be dramatically better.”
Temperatures are forecast to be around 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius), with light breezes and low humidity for the start of the final.
“You couldn’t have asked for much better weather for the World Cup,” Berardelli added.
Both Roys and Berardelli expect the heavier smoke Sunday to be concentrated closer to the fires, hanging over parts of the Midwest and the Great Lakes region.
Wildfires have been igniting across Canada and northern Minnesota this month. Berardelli said they are burning longer and faster because of climate change. The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System showed hundreds of active fires Saturday.
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McDermott reported from Providence, Rhode Island.
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