Fires from Canada, northern Rockies impacting weather in Nebraska & Iowa

Wildfires across parts of southwest Canada and the northern Rockies are turning the sky a gray-yellow over Nebraska and Iowa.

So how is smoke from fires more than 1,100 miles away reaching our area?

Winds about two miles above the ground are out of the northwest from southern British Columbia into northern Nebraska. Those winds are taking smoke from intense fires over Canada, Idaho, and Montana, and blanketing the middle of the country.

Believe it or not, but smoke lingered over the metro area most of the weekend. That's what caused the milky color to the sky. The smoke will be thicker Monday, causing a very hazy look to the sky -- almost like a layer of clouds.

However, with stronger northwest winds near the ground, matching the direction aloft, some of that smoke is mixing down to the ground. Residents may smell smoke over all of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa Monday afternoon and evening.

At this point, there are no widespread forecast impacts to air quality. However, medical experts say people with respiratory issues, like asthma or allergies, may experience some breathing problems.