NORTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Greater Boston has been hit with a wave of choking wildfire smoke this week. The Boston skyline was obscured behind a veil of the haze on Tuesday, turning the sun orange. The National Weather Service in Boston said the smoke will stick around on Wednesday and Thursday, but should taper by the end of the week.

Meteorologist Bill Leatham tells WBZ NewsRadio the smoke will get progressively better

"It's going to last through at least tomorrow, although it does appear that it should be thinning out at least a little bit, especially in comparison to yesterday...It will still be hanging around the next day or two," he said.

An Air Quality Alert is in effect at least for the rest of Wednesday. Older residents and children, as well as those with sensitive longs should avoid going outside, according to state officials.

Leatham said the current system over the northeast will keep moving, shifting the wind direction and clearing away the smoke.

"We're also going to have shots for showers and perhaps a few thunderstorms...those will help to clean the air out a little bit," he said.

The smoke is coming from wildfires raging in Quebec. It's at least the second time this summer that Canadian wildfires affected local air quality, with the other blazes in Nova Scotia.

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