It was an unusual Independence Day. Because of coronavirus, most public fireworks displays were cancelled this year. But that didn't stop people from buying their own fireworks to set off in neighborhoods throughout Western New York. Tower cameras used by local TV stations showed an amazing array of fireworks doing off around 10:00 Saturday night.
National Weather Service Meteorologist John Hitchcock says the smoke generated by all those fireworks remained trapped in the atmosphere, creating hazing conditions during the early morning hours Sunday.
"When it's cooler near the ground and warmer above, it tends to trap smoke," Hitchcock said. "It created a haze in the air."
There was also a distinct burning odor in the air. The haze quickly dissipated.
Temperatures will be unusually hot across Western New York this week. Heat waves do happen here during the summer. But Hitchcock says there's a chance Buffalo could set a record this week for consecutive days of 90 degree temperatures.
"The all-time record is seven days in a row of 90 or higher. That happened back in the beginning of July 1988," Hitchcock said. "We have two days already of 90 and above. And we're forecasting highs of 90 or higher each day through Friday. So, if the forecast holds, we could break that record."
Hitchcock says people looking for relief should head to the waterfront where temperatures will be five to ten degrees lower.
It should be dry most of the week in Buffalo, though there is the possibility for some pop-up showers and thunderstorms each afternoon in the Southern Tier.