Smoke from Canadian wildfires that poured into the area Wednesday night is expected to linger in the area Friday, according to a meteorologist from AccuWeather.

The bad news is that Friday’s air quality will be worse.

But the good news, AccuWeather’s Alex Duffus said, is that the unhealthy smoke should begin to dissipate this weekend.

“Today we have a very unhealthy air quality index of between to 150 and 160,” Duffus said Thursday. “You can just tell from looking outside how hazy and smoky it is.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued a “code red” Air Quality Action Day across the commonwealth Thursday due to air pollution from the smoke.

“DEP has upgraded Friday’s forecast to a statewide Code Purple Air Quality Alert for fine particulate matter due to wildfire smoke affecting Pennsylvania from Ontario, Canada, and Minnesota. Smoke will continue to impact the commonwealth through Friday,” DEP spokeswoman Patricia Monahan said.

Under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s air quality index, code red - which was in effect Thursday - is considered “unhealthy” with air quality values between 151 and 200. The high pollution levels can cause serious health effects for many.

Code purple, or “very unhealthy,” comes with values between 201 and 300, and breathing the air is unhealthy for everyone.

For comparison, a “green” — or good — level includes values between 0 and 50.

The smoke, which is creating low visibility, has grounded medical transport helicopters for the Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health.

It also caused the Tamaqua Area School District to cancel all Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association sports, youth sports and camps on a recommendation from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Duffus said AccuWeather meteorologists are expecting similar air quality values on Friday.

“On Saturday, there is a chance for showers and thunderstorms, which can ‘clean’ the air,” Duffus said.

He expects smoke to dissipate Saturday and Sunday.

In addition, Duffus noted that precipitation is expected in the areas of the fires this weekend.

“There will be some rain up there which will improve the conditions,” he said. “Hopefully the rain will help put out some of those fires.”

Duffus said there is always a chance that the smoke will return, depending on wind direction and other factors.

“We will continue to monitor the situation next week,” Duffus said.

Those who do venture outside, he said, might notice that the sun is taking on a red or orange tint.

“It looks like that because of all the smoke,” he said.

The DEP noted that during code red alerts, people should consider limiting their outdoor activities, and sensitive groups such as children, elderly residents, and those with respiratory illnesses should avoid long or intense outdoor activities and consider moving activities indoors.

Folks are also encouraged to voluntarily help reduce fine particulate matter air pollution by avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment; reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use, and refraining from burning leaves, trash and other materials.

To check conditions, visit www.airnow.gov.