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Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Climate
- Miami Herald
Map Shows States Where People Told to Stay Indoors Today
People in eight states were advised to limit their outdoor activities on Wednesday due to poor air quality. In some instances, air quality was worsened by smoke from Canadian wildfires, and National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Joe Wegman told Newsweekthat it would be unlikely for the smoke to completely leave the United States "anytime soon." This is the first time excessive Canadian wildfire smoke has significantly impacted U.S. air quality since 2023, when wildfires in the region worsened air quality to dangerous levels for millions in the Northeast. In smaller amounts, smoke can cause hazy skies and create beautiful sunsets and sunrises. However, in higher amounts, the smoke can be dangerous, even prompting alerts urging people to stay inside until it clears. Over the past week, unhealthy air quality has been detected across Upper Midwest states like Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. However, smoke was creating milky skies and vibrant sunsets as far south as the Gulf Coast. NWS alerts issued in several states on Tuesday anticipated the air quality to remain unhealthy at least through part of the day on Wednesday. In Minnesota, an air quality alert remains in effect until 9 a.m. local time on Wednesday morning. In Wisconsin, the current alert is extended slightly until noon. Meanwhile, the South Coast Air Quality Management District in Southern California issued an air quality alert because of windblown dust. That alert is set to expire at 5 a.m. local time. On Tuesday, air quality alerts related to the Canadian wildfire smoke were in effect for Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. New alerts were issued for Pennsylvania, Maine, New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, although not all of these listed the smoke as the culprit. "A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include suffering from asthma... heart disease or other lung the elderly," the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said. "The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors." In some cases, people in the affected areas were urged to remain indoors and shut their windows to keep the smoke out of their homes. Particularly sensitive populations, such as those with asthma, were urged to take extra caution and monitor themselves for symptoms, such as coughing. An air quality alert issued in Wisconsin: "Sensitive groups: Consider rescheduling or moving all activities inside. Go inside if you have symptoms." An alert issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on Tuesday: "Rain showers are not sufficient to clean the air-the smoke is too heavy and in too thick of a layer of the atmosphere." Although many alerts were set to expire on Wednesday, it is possible they will be reissued as the wildfires continue to burn. People in the affected areas should follow local guidance. Related Articles Hurricane Center Forecast Reveals Chances of New Storm Off Southeastern CoastTornado Warning in Effect, Millions in Missouri Urged to Seek Shelter NowCalifornia May Release Water as Reservoir Hits Historic MilestoneNational Weather Service Launches New Hiring Spree After DOGE Cuts 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Map Shows States Where People Told to Stay Indoors Today
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. People in eight states were advised to limit their outdoor activities on Wednesday due to poor air quality. In some instances, air quality was worsened by smoke from Canadian wildfires, and National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Joe Wegman told Newsweek that it would be unlikely for the smoke to completely leave the United States "anytime soon." Why It Matters This is the first time excessive Canadian wildfire smoke has significantly impacted U.S. air quality since 2023, when wildfires in the region worsened air quality to dangerous levels for millions in the Northeast. In smaller amounts, smoke can cause hazy skies and create beautiful sunsets and sunrises. However, in higher amounts, the smoke can be dangerous, even prompting alerts urging people to stay inside until it clears. What To Know Over the past week, unhealthy air quality has been detected across Upper Midwest states like Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. However, smoke was creating milky skies and vibrant sunsets as far south as the Gulf Coast. NWS alerts issued in several states on Tuesday anticipated the air quality to remain unhealthy at least through part of the day on Wednesday. In Minnesota, an air quality alert remains in effect until 9 a.m. local time on Wednesday morning. In Wisconsin, the current alert is extended slightly until noon. Meanwhile, the South Coast Air Quality Management District in Southern California issued an air quality alert because of windblown dust. That alert is set to expire at 5 a.m. local time. On Tuesday, air quality alerts related to the Canadian wildfire smoke were in effect for Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. New alerts were issued for Pennsylvania, Maine, New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, although not all of these listed the smoke as the culprit. "A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include suffering from asthma... heart disease or other lung the elderly," the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said. "The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors." In some cases, people in the affected areas were urged to remain indoors and shut their windows to keep the smoke out of their homes. Particularly sensitive populations, such as those with asthma, were urged to take extra caution and monitor themselves for symptoms, such as coughing. Smoke covers the streets of Vernon, British Columbia, as wildfires burn on August 20, 2023. Smoke covers the streets of Vernon, British Columbia, as wildfires burn on August 20, 2023. Paige Taylor White/Getty What People Are Saying An air quality alert issued in Wisconsin: "Sensitive groups: Consider rescheduling or moving all activities inside. Go inside if you have symptoms." An alert issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on Tuesday: "Rain showers are not sufficient to clean the air—the smoke is too heavy and in too thick of a layer of the atmosphere." What Happens Next Although many alerts were set to expire on Wednesday, it is possible they will be reissued as the wildfires continue to burn. People in the affected areas should follow local guidance.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Reaches Gulf Coast
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. Smoke from wildfires currently burning in Canada reached the Gulf Coast in the Southern United States this week. The smoke doesn't look like it will clear the U.S. "anytime soon," National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Joe Wegman told Newsweek, although the heaviest smoke has stayed north of the coast, so it's unlikely that air quality alerts will be issued that far south. Why It Matters This is the first time excessive Canadian wildfire smoke had descended into the U.S. since 2023 when wildfires worsened air quality to dangerous levels for millions in the Northeast. In smaller amounts, smoke can cause hazy skies and create beautiful sunsets and sunrises. However, in higher amounts, the smoke can be dangerous, even prompting alerts urging people to stay inside until it clears. What To Know Since last week, air quality in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota has been impacted by the heavy smoke. Although most air quality alerts remain in the Upper Midwest, the smoke has moved toward the South. As of Monday, some of the smoke had moved off the Eastern Seaboard, but a high-pressure system has circulated it back into the U.S. and across the Southern states, Wegman said. The heaviest smoke affecting the region remains north near Atlanta and Birmingham, Alabama, but smoke will have a noticeable impact on sunsets in the Gulf Coast states this week. Some states that might notice smoke include South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama over the next two days. Poor air quality isn't as much of a threat for Southern states because of the distance the smoke has traveled. Wegman still urged caution for anyone with breathing troubles or those who are particularly sensitive to air pollution. Satellite imagery captured the smoke descending into the U.S. over the weekend, and the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) posted a timelapse of the video on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday. "Wildfire smoke has overtaken skies above the Eastern United States," the post said. "This time lapse shows the drifting smoke over the last three days." Smoke from wildfires in Canada shrouds the skyline of lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center at sunset on August 16, 2024, in New York City. Smoke from wildfires in Canada shrouds the skyline of lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center at sunset on August 16, 2024, in New York City. Gary Hershorn/Getty What People Are Saying National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Prediction Center meteorologist Joe Wegman told Newsweek: "It certainly will influence the sunsets because it doesn't take all that much in order to do that. It's cool because it makes the sunsets have vibrant colors, and that's kind of neat to see." An air quality alert issued in Northwest Wisconsin said: "Sensitive groups: Consider rescheduling or moving all activities inside. Go inside if you have symptoms. People with asthma: Follow your asthma action plan and keep quick-relief medicine handy. People with heart disease: Symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these, contact your health care provider. Everyone else: Keep outdoor activities shorter and less intense. Go inside if you have symptoms." What Happens Next? The smoke is unlikely to evacuate the U.S. soon, Wegman said. Hazy skies are expected to persist throughout the duration of its presence.
