EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Heavy rain and thunderstorms on Saturday brought relief to the New York metropolitan area by clearing smoke from Canadian wildfires that had degraded air quality for several days and raised concerns about the upcoming World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.

The severe weather prompted a flash flood warning for Manhattan and northeastern New Jersey, yet the precipitation also helped dissipate lingering wildfire smoke that had pushed the region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) into unhealthy ranges. On Thursday, the AQI in East Rutherford reached 245, a level categorized as “very unhealthful.” By Friday, the index had improved but remained elevated at around 160, prompting informal discussions between the White House and FIFA regarding a potential relocation of the match.

The intended alternative venue was Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, where air quality was unaffected by the smoke. However, by Saturday evening, the AQI in East Rutherford had dropped significantly to 89, corresponding to moderate health risk for only a small segment of the population. Forecasts indicated a further decrease to a projected 66 at kickoff on Sunday, reflecting generally acceptable air quality.

Officials cautioned, however, that shifting wind patterns could reintroduce smoke to the area, potentially causing temporary increases in pollution levels. Despite this uncertainty, the improved air quality lessened the likelihood of relocating the event, allowing the World Cup final to proceed as scheduled at MetLife Stadium.