Smoke from Canadian wildfires is forecast to dissipate before Sunday's World Cup Final, minimizing its impact on the match between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Meteorologists anticipate only a light haze, with air quality expected to be no worse than a typical hazy summer day in the New York City area.
"The smoke will slowly start to retreat today. This morning and early this afternoon will be the peak hours before clearing out later today and tonight," Fox Weather meteorologist Stephen McCloud told The Post. "By tomorrow, hazy skies will be possible; however smoke levels will be minimal."
AccuWeather.com senior meteorologist John Feerick added that while air quality might be slightly reduced, it will not significantly affect the championship match. "I think tomorrow overall is going to be a very nice day … with lower humidity and plenty of sunshine."
The weekend has also seen intense storms bring flash flooding, damaging wind gusts, and isolated tornadoes to the New York metropolitan area. An Air Quality Health Advisory was in effect until 11:59 p.m. Saturday for several regions, including New York City Metro and Long Island.
These storms, however, are expected to help clear the smoky conditions. "Those storms are going to help to kind of flush out some of the smoke and haze," Feerick said. "After the front moves through later tonight and tomorrow, we’re definitely going to see some improved air quality."
Temperatures on Sunday are predicted to start in the low 70s and reach a high in the low 80s in the New York-New Jersey metro area.