Air quality worsening; Smoky haze expected for days

ATLANTA — Despite fairly weak winds -- 5 to 10 mph from the northwest -- a smoky haze is in place across north Georgia and, based on Monday’s models, looks like it will stay in place through Thursday.

"Above the smoke, we have a clear sky and I don't expect much in the way of any cloud cover through the end of the week," said Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan.

Through midweek, expect morning lows in the 30s and 40s with afternoon highs in the 60s to around 70 degrees.

Ahead of the next front, expect a warmer southerly flow later Thursday into Friday. This will push the smoke out of the metro.

Temperatures will push into the low to mid-70s each day.

That front moves through north Georgia on Saturday -- the models have been showing a drier frontal passage with each run.

At this point, expect just a limited shower chance Saturday with cooler air to follow on Sunday. Highs by Sunday will stay in the 50s.

Monday will be the 29th consecutive day without measurable rainfall.

“We’ll run that streak to at least 33 days in Atlanta through Friday,” Monahan said.

Elements that we’re tracking on Channel 2 Action News:

• Smoky haze over north Georgia
• A warm-up this week with temperatures 5 to 15 degrees above average
• A cold front to start the weekend

Updates that you can get only from watching Channel 2 Action News:

• Updated hour-by-hour wind forecast, smoke outlook and drought update
• Updated jet stream/temperature forecast
• Updated hour-by-hour humidity forecast

Cox Media Group