TUESDAY: Hazy with thunderstorms in spots. Hi 82. Winds NW 10-15 mph.

TONIGHT: Partly Cloudy. Lo 51. Winds NW 0-5 mph.

WEDNESDAY: Sunshine blocked by haze. Hi 78. Lo 54. Winds NW 5-10 mph.

Thunderstorms are popping up to our northwest and will impact parts of the Midstate this afternoon. Gusty winds, heavy rain, and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning are all possible within these thunderstorms. Otherwise, the main story of the day continues to be the wildfire smoke over our heads, ushered in by a northerly flow from Quebec. High temperatures will reach the upper 70s and lower 80s. A cold front will move through the state, with winds potentially gusting over 20 MPH as the front moves through during the afternoon hours. This will lead to clearing skies and cooler conditions tonight as lows drop into the upper 40s and lower 50s.

Wildfire smoke will once again be thick on Wednesday, but should thin out slightly heading into Thursday and Friday. High temperatures will be a couple degrees below average those days. Lows remain in the low 50s before climbing to the 60s by overnight Sunday. Temperatures will increase for the weekend before a potential system clears out the hazy air. A lot of hope lies later in the weekend, where either late Sunday or Monday the possibility is out there for widespread rain across the viewing area. Current models are struggling to agree at this time and we will continue to update you with a clarified picture over the next several days.

-Meteorologist Kevin Appleby