Central Wisconsin Could See Hazy Skies Today Due to Canadian Wildfires

Friday, May 30th, 2025 -- 12:01 PM

(Caitlin Shuda, USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin) Central Wisconsin could see hazy skies and smokey air Friday due to wildfires in Canada.

According to Caitlin Shuda with USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin, Kira Jesse, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Green Bay, told a USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin reporter May 29 there are two ways the wildfire smoke will come through central Wisconsin.

Aloft smoke will be higher up in the sky, filtering and dimming the look of the sun. That will likely come through central Wisconsin early Friday morning, likely after midnight May 30, she said.

The other type of smoke is thicker and closer to the ground and can impact people with sensitivities, she said. Smoke is expected to drop down to surface level Friday morning into early Friday afternoon.

This type of smoke could bring lower visibility, she said. According to the National Weather Service, smoke coming through the Great Lakes area may create colorful sunrises and sunsets and could bring a campfire smell in the area.

While it can be difficult to predict how long smoke will be in the air, Jesse said the National Weather Service expects the smoke to have dispersed by the time rain and potential thunderstorms come through the central Wisconsin area mid- to late-afternoon May 30.

According to the U.S. Air Quality Index, the yellow index indicates a moderate level of concern. The air quality is acceptable, but there may be more risks for people who are sensitive to air pollution, according to the chart.

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