Air quality was impacted in a big way by Canadian wildfire smoke in the Chicago area Thursday, but how long could that smoke stick around?

It will last for at least one more day, as the entire Chicago area will remain under an air quality alert until at least Friday night, according to the National Weather Service.

Most of the area was at an “unhealthy” level of particle pollution because of the smoke on Thursday, with the city of Chicago for a time having what was considered the worst air quality in the entire world, according to AirNow.

During times of “unhealthy” levels of particle pollution, residents are urged to stay indoors when possible. Some residents may experience adverse health effects, and those with preexisting respiratory or heart conditions could be at even greater risk.

“People with respiratory diseases such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exposure,” the NWS said. The NWS also recommended carpooling, combining errands into one driving trip, and avoiding refueling until after 7 p.m. The use of gas-powered long equipment was also discouraged when possible.

As for just how long the smoke could stick around, it’s impossible to tell, but there is more smoke billowing down from Canada, and as winds continue to blow out of the north, it will likely remain a concern into the weekend.

The smoke may not descend to the surface as much as it did on Thursday, but hazy skies could be expected at least through Saturday, if not further into the weekend, according to forecast models.

Temperatures are expected to slowly increase over the weekend, rising into the upper-70s on Saturday and even into the low-80s by Sunday, according to forecast models. Those temps will keep rising into the end of the week, potentially pushing readings toward the 90-degree mark by Friday.

AirNow provides a tool for residents to search their ZIP code to see what their forecasted air quality is, both in real time and for the days ahead.

For a more granular look, the website also offers information on different measurement stations around the area in real-time, allowing residents to track air quality in areas near their homes.

Be sure to stay tuned to the NBC 5 Storm Team for all the latest weather news and information on the air quality concerns impacting the area.