Wildfire smoke starts to clear as heat and humidity return

The latest Air Quality Alert is set to expire at noon on Wednesday. It's currently in place for all of our local counties except for Jefferson and Walworth. They may extend the alert into the afternoon or evening hours in some lakeside communities as some wildfire smoke may continue through the end of Wednesday but a break in smoke and haze is expected for all on Thursday.

Temperatures will start to warm up through the rest of the week. So far, the first few days of August have been cool with highs staying in the 70s in Milwaukee for the first five days. That likely changes on Wednesday when we reach the low 80s then highs hover around 90 for the end of the week into the weekend. 

The humidity level will continue to increase as well. Dew points will hang out in the middle to upper 60s Wednesday and Thursday then 70s for dew points are expected for the end of the week and the weekend. 

After a soaking rain last Wednesday most of southeast Wisconsin has been dry. That dry stretch likely continues Wednesday but a few isolated showers and storms may be possible Thursday especially in the afternoon and evening. 

Download the CBS 58 Weather app to track the return of the heat, humidity and storms.