Canadian wildfire smoke will significantly impact air quality across Michigan on Friday, with unhealthy conditions expected for sensitive groups and potential scattered thunderstorms this weekend.

At 12:40 p.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service issued the alert for Midland, Bay, Saginaw, Huron, Tuscola and Sanilac counties, warning that fine particulates in the air are expected to spike into the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range through 12:45 p.m. Friday.

The weekend is looking hot and more humid both Saturday and Sunday with only the small chance of a storm on Saturday (mainly north of the metro). Evening and nighttime storms are more likely on Sunday. Temperatures this weekend will reach well into the 80s and lower 90’s both days.

Intense wildfires in Canada’s western provinces continued blazing Wednesday, sending smoke southward and triggering air quality alerts throughout the United States. More than 400 wildfires are ...

Considering wildfires, and prevailing winds blowing from Canada, are expected to become more frequent, the impact on crops will remain an area of study.