Latest news with #AirQualityIndex
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Millions Across 3 States Told to Close Windows, Limit Outside Activity
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Millions of residents in Texas, Minnesota, and Michigan are under air quality alerts this weekend as authorities warn of unhealthy levels of ozone and fine particle pollution. Why It Matters The alerts come as wildfires are burning across Canada, creating harmful conditions and affecting air quality. Smoke and airborne pollutants can be especially hazardous for individuals with respiratory conditions. So far this year, wildfires have scorched over 1.58 million acres in Canada—roughly 40 percent above the 10-year average for this time of year, CNN reported. Wildfire smoke hangs in the air above Highway 97 north of Buckinghorse River, British Columbia, on Friday, May 30, 2025. Wildfire smoke hangs in the air above Highway 97 north of Buckinghorse River, British Columbia, on Friday, May 30, 2025. Nasuna Stuart-Ulin/The Canadian Press/AP What To Know The air quality issues affecting these three states stem from a combination of factors. In Texas, high temperatures and stagnant atmospheric conditions have created an environment conducive to ozone buildup. In Minnesota and Michigan, strong northerly winds are carrying smoke from the Canadian wildfires, impacting air quality across the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. Residents in affected areas are advised to check air quality forecasts, limit outdoor activities, avoid exercising outside during peak pollution hours, and use air conditioning systems to keep indoor air clean. Health officials warn that these alerts may extend into the following week if weather conditions persist. Minnesota In Minnesota, the entire state is under an Air Quality Alert issued by the state's Pollution Control Agency. It remains in effect until 6 p.m. on Monday, June 2. Smoke from massive wildfires burning in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada, has been pushed south by northerly winds, blanketing Minnesota in a dense haze. The Air Quality Index is expected to reach the orange and red categories, indicating unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups and the general population in northern parts of the state. The heaviest concentrations of smoke are predicted for Saturday afternoon, with temporary clearing overnight before more smoke returns on Sunday and Monday. Health officials advise residents, particularly children, seniors, and those with asthma or heart disease, to stay indoors, limit exertion, and avoid opening windows. Running air conditioners with high-efficiency filters is also recommended to help reduce indoor pollution. Michigan In Michigan, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has declared an Air Quality Advisory that will remain in effect through 6 a.m. Saturday. The advisory covers a wide area stretching from Grand Rapids and Lansing to Detroit and the Upper Peninsula. Fine particulate levels from wildfire smoke have reached the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range, prompting warnings to limit strenuous outdoor activity and keep windows closed. Health officials in Michigan are urging residents to watch for symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing, especially among vulnerable populations like children, older adults, and those with heart or lung conditions. Residents are also encouraged to use air conditioning systems equipped with MERV-13 or higher-rated filters to help maintain cleaner indoor air. Texas The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has issued Ozone Action Days for the El Paso area, the Dallas-Fort Worth region, and the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area. These alerts run from 6 a.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Sunday for El Paso and Dallas-Fort Worth, and throughout Saturday for the Houston area. Cities such as Downtown El Paso, West El Paso, Upper Valley, Socorro, and Fort Bliss are affected. Residents are urged to reduce activities that produce ozone, such as unnecessary vehicle trips, idling, and outdoor burning. High ozone levels are especially dangerous for children, older adults, and those with existing respiratory or heart conditions, potentially causing throat irritation, coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath. What People Are Saying AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said, in an advisory shared with Newsweek: "Most of the time, the smoke will be high-flying and dim the sun, leading to vivid sunrises and sunsets and causing a hazy appearance to the sky overhead. "However, there will be episodes where the smoke can reach the lower levels of the atmosphere and affect visibility and air quality. That could be a safety concern for travel in extreme cases and pose health problems for some individuals with respiratory issues." Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on X, formerly Twitter, Thursday: "I am in close contact with [Saskatchewan] @PremierScottMoe as his province responds to the growing wildfire situation. My government stands ready to mobilize federal support wherever needed. "Saskatchewan, as you fight these wildfires and keep people safe, you have our full support." What Happens Next Residents can stay updated through the National Weather Service and the EPA's AirNow websites, as well as through local state agency websites.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Delhi weather: Dust storms, thunderstorm likely in NCR; IMD predicts turbulent weekend
Delhi is bracing for another spell of turbulent weather on Saturday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a cloudy sky, dust storms with wind speeds of 40–50 kmph, and thunderstorms for the national capital and surrounding NCR region. Rainfall is expected within two hours of the storm. The minimum temperature in the city on Saturday morning was recorded at 34.8 degrees Celsius, 5.6 notches below the seasonal average. Relative humidity stood at 64% at 8:30 am, according to the IMD. Delhi's air quality was categorised as 'poor' with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 204 at 9 am, data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed. The IMD had earlier issued an orange alert for Friday, cautioning residents of the capital about thunderstorms and gusty winds of up to 70 kmph. No such alert has been issued for Saturday, although the weather department has maintained warnings for severe conditions through the weekend. Delhi records wettest May ever This May has turned out to be the wettest on record for the national capital. As of May 30, Delhi has received 188.9 mm of rainfall, surpassing the previous record of 165 mm set in May 2008. The city typically averages only around 30.7 mm in May, making this year's precipitation more than 200% above normal. Live Events Multiple thunderstorms and rain events struck the city throughout the month, including on May 2, 17, 21 and 25. The Safdarjung weather station recorded rain on four days, while Palam and Ridge stations saw seven rainy days each. Lodhi Road and Ayanagar also reported significant rainfall. The month also saw at least 10 storm-related deaths due to collapsing structures, electrocution, and falling trees. In sharp contrast, May 2024 had recorded just 0.4 mm of rainfall—99% below average. Unusually, May 2025 has seen no heatwave days so far, a departure from last year's pattern, when Delhi recorded six days of extreme heat.
India Today
8 hours ago
- Climate
- India Today
Dust, thunderstorm alert for Delhi-NCR, rain likely today
The Indian meteorological department has forecast a cloudy sky with thunder and lightning on Saturday and Sunday for the Delhi NCR region with a dust storm with 40-50 kmph wind followed by rains expected after 2 national capital on Saturday morning recorded a minimum temperature of 34.8 degrees Celsius, 5.6 notches below the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).advertisementRelative humidity was recorded at 64 per cent at 8:30 am. The air quality was recorded in the "poor" category at 9 am on Saturday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 204, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data weather department had earlier asked residents of Delhi-NCR to prepare for a spell of turbulent weather, forecasting gusty winds reaching up to 70 kmph, accompanied by thunderstorms and rainfall through the end of month has already set a new record for rainfall in Delhi. As of May 28, the city has received 186.4 mm of rain, surpassing the previous high of 165 mm recorded in May 2008. The average rainfall for May is typically around 30.7 mm, making this year's precipitation exceptionally has been hit by five significant storms this month:advertisementMay 2: A dust storm accompanied by 77 mm of rainfall and winds of up to 80 km/ 15: Dust-raising winds between 40-50 km/h reduced visibility to 1,200-1,500 meters for nearly 12 17: Thunderstorms with winds reaching 74 km/h and light 21: A brief but intense storm with winds of 79 km/h and 12 mm of 25: Heavy rainfall measuring 81.4 mm and winds peaking at 82 km/hMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Delhi#Noida#Ghaziabad
Arab Times
9 hours ago
- Climate
- Arab Times
Winds push smoke from Canadian wildfires south into US and worsen air quality
WASHINGTON, May 31, (AP): Air quality in some parts of the United States is worsening as smoke from dozens of wildfires in Canada travels south, pushed by winds high in the atmosphere. Through parts of Minnesota and into Wisconsin, the air quality is deemed unhealthy for people and animals sensitive to pollution and other airborne particles, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow page. As of Friday afternoon, the interactive air quality map showed a strip of orange moving northwest to southeast across Wisconsin. Most of the state showed moderate air quality as did all of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois also showed moderate air quality on the AirNow map. Over the next day or so, particulates from the burning trees, leaves and other vegetation could reach further south into Oklahoma, Tennessee and Arkansas, said Patrick Ayd, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Duluth, Minnesota. Murray Kinsey, owner of a houseboat company just outside of Babbitt, Minnesota, said Friday afternoon the sky was "hazy," but anglers still were fishing on nearby Birch Lake. "It's getting a little hard to breathe,' Kinsey said. "But it's not terrible. We've had it before, but it's been way worse.' The Air Quality Index - AQI - measures how clean or polluted the air we breathe is on a daily basis. The index focuses on the health effects that might be experienced within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. AQI is calculated based on ground-level ozone, particle pollution or particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Ground-level ozone and airborne particles are the two pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health in this country. The index ranges from green, where the air quality is satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk, to maroon, which is considered hazardous. That level comes with health warnings of emergency conditions where everyone is more likely to be affected, according to AirNow.
NDTV
11 hours ago
- Climate
- NDTV
Delhi Weather: IMD Issues Orange Alert, National Capital Records Wettest May
New Delhi: Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 34.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning, marking one of the warmer days of the season. However, despite the high morning temperature, this May has been unusual in many ways, including below-normal daytime temperatures, unprecedented frequent rains, and the absence of any heatwave conditions. In terms of rainfall, May 2025 has been historic for Delhi, with the capital receiving 188.9 mm of rainfall, the highest-ever rainfall recorded in the month of May. This is over 202 per cent more than the normal monthly average of 62.6 mm. In contrast, May 2024 saw just 0.4 mm of rain, which was 99 per cent below average, with not a single rainy day recorded. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this is only the third time in the last five years that Delhi has seen the mercury stay below 40 degrees Celsius throughout May. Not a single day this month recorded conditions severe enough to be classified as an intense heatwave, making it a rare exception in the typically scorching summer month. The current spell of unusual weather is being attributed to the early arrival of the monsoon in Mumbai, which has had a ripple effect on weather systems in northern India, including Delhi. However, meteorologists have clarified that the monsoon has not yet arrived in the national Capital, even though conditions have turned significantly cooler and wetter. The IMD has issued an 'Orange Alert' for Delhi-NCR tonight, warning residents to stay alert as thunderstorms and heavy rain are likely. An 'Orange Alert' signals potentially disruptive weather, and people are advised to prepare for sudden changes in conditions. The forecast suggests rain accompanied by thunder and strong winds will continue across Delhi and surrounding areas till June 4. A 'Yellow Alert' is also in place for Saturday, with the possibility of rain showers at any time during the day. Meanwhile, the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 167, placing it in the 'moderate' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The AQI scale defines values between 101-200 as 'moderate,' while 201-300 is 'poor,' and 301-400 is considered 'very poor'. With unpredictable weather continuing, Delhi people are advised to remain cautious and plan accordingly as the city experiences one of its most unusual Mays in recent history.
