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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Jennifer McDermott and Philip Marcelo

Thunderstorms will clear wildfire smoke from Northeast ahead of World Cup final, meteorologists say

APTOPIX Climate Wildfires Smoke New York - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Smoke from the Canadian wildfires that has engulfed the Northeast in haze is expected to mostly clear from the New Jersey area just in time for the World Cup final on Sunday, thanks to thunderstorms passing through the area, meteorologists say.

Warnings of unhealthy air quality remained in effect Saturday across a wide swath of the United States. At MetLife Stadium, where the final is taking place, it rained heavily and thunder boomed. State police urged people to leave the stadium seating bowl and field and take shelter. Volunteers and staff dashed inside for cover as ponchos were handed out. The sky was the same thick, soupy gray it has been for days.

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