Air quality in many places across the Northeast and Midwest remain at unhealthy levels as a result of more than 400 fires burning across Canada.
A low-pressure system over Maine and Nova Scotia is causing the smoke-filled air to be pushed south, according to U.S. National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Ramsey.
“Conditions are likely to remain unhealthy, at least until the wind direction changes or the fires get put out,” Ramsey said.
Until then, those who live in the affected regions should pay close attention to air quality levels in their area.
The Air-Quality Index is a measure of how clean or polluted the air is and helps identify the negative health effects you might experience from breathing in air after a few hours or days.
Any reading of above 100 is considered unhealthy, but a reading from 201 to 300 is a “health alert” with the risk of health effects increased for everyone. Many major cities in the Northeast have had AQI readings of over 300 at one point or another since Wednesday. Indicated with a color of “maroon” and labeled “hazardous,” this level indicates a “health warning” where everyone is more likely to be affected by air conditions.
Yesterday, New York City’s AQI reached hazardous levels as high as 353, based on hourly data from IQAir.
This morning, an AQI reading at 5:00am local time in Philadelphia was 283.
In Trenton, N.J. AQI levels reached the maroon-colored definition of hazardous (above 300) in the early morning hours of Thursday.
Cities further south saw AQI at “very unhealthy” levels, with readings between 201 and 300. Washington D.C.’s AQI hit 279 according to data from 9:00am local time.
Keep checking back for updates.
In addition to dangerous air quality levels, decreased visibility caused flights in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic to experience delays.
Local officials are advising residents to stay indoors. Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel ordering schools to cancel outdoor recess, sports and field trips Thursday. Officials in suburban Philadelphia set up an emergency shelter for people living outside.
Additional reporting from the Associated Press
