Millions across Northeast, mid-Atlantic breathing easier as Canadian wildfire smoke thins out
Much of the area that had been smoke-choked from Canadian wildfires finally got an assist from Mother Nature in scouring out the bulk of the remaining haze and air quality was considered good to moderate.
East Coast air improving after days of choking Canadian wildfire smoke
A pattern change late this weekend into early next week will shift the pattern and clear out any lingering smoke this weekend.
WASHINGTON – Air quality levels improved to their best levels in days across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic on Friday as skylines and horizons were rediscovered, and air quality levels dropped to near normal levels.
A few isolated pockets of unhealthy air remained in the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes Saturday morning, with Air Quality Index (AQI) readings drifting over 150 around Indianapolis – considered unhealthy air quality – and just over 100 around the Detroit and Dayton, Ohio areas.
The five worst air quality readings in the U.S. as of 6 a.m. EDT Sunday, June 11, 2023. (FOX Weather)
But overall much of the area that had been smoke-choked from Canadian wildfires finally got an assist from Mother Nature in scouring out the bulk of the remaining haze and air quality was considered good to moderate.
The current air quality readings in the northeastern U.S. as of 6 a.m. EDT Sunday, June 11, 2023. (FOX Weather)
The readings are a far cry from the hazardous readings that crossed 300 – and in some cases, 400 – on Wednesday and Thursday for tens of millions, including those in New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
TRACK CANADA WILDFIRES SMOKE MAP FORECASTS AND AIR QUALITY DATA
Some of the smoke had spread more to the west and south since its initial surge across the Canadian border Wednesday, and there were still a few areas experiencing smoke thick enough to be considered unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children, older adults or those with heart and lung ailments.
WHAT'S THE STATUS OF CANADIAN WILDFIRES SENDING SMOKE INTO THE U.S., AND WHEN WILL IT END?
Record-setting air quality levels Wednesday
The smoke wreaked havoc for millions on Wednesday and Thursday as a thick plume of smoke cast a surreal pall over New York City and Washington, DC.
Towering skyscrapers and monuments disappeared in the distance, replaced by an orange fog that irritated eyes and throats, and many described a "campfire-type" smell.
SEE EERIE ORANGE SKIES OVER NEW YORK CITY AS CANADIAN WILDFIRE SMOKE BLANKETS NORTHEAST
Officials urged residents to stay indoors as much as possible during the worst of the plume as air quality levels reached hazardous heights never before recorded in the region.
Several flights were delayed across the Northeast, with airports in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, slowing arrivals and departures due to very low visibility.
WHAT TO DO WHEN WILDFIRE SMOKE SMOTHERS YOUR AREA, AND HOW TO KEEP YOUR HOME'S AIR CLEAN
Poor air quality postponing MLB games, sports across Northeast
After MLB postponed the Yankees and White Sox game on Wednesday because of hazardous air quality conditions in New York City, the teams begin a doubleheader on Thursday at the Yankees Stadium. Other MLB games and sporting events have also faced cancellations due to the wildfire smoke.
Major League Baseball games in all three of those aforementioned cities were postponed amid the smoky haze, and even New York's famed Broadway couldn't escape the impacts, postponing performances of Hamilton. Schools in New York City went into remote learning to keep students and staff at home, and in nearby Belmont Park, all horse races were canceled.
Relief on the way
But blue skies are on their way back – or at least gray – across the region as a weather pattern shift finally gets under way early in the weekend.
The forecast for Canada wildfire smoke on Sunday, June 11, 2023. (FOX Weather)
An area of low pressure that has been swirling around New England and helping to funnel smoke in from the north will slowly slide away Saturday, while a new storm system moves into the Great Lakes, allowing the winds to shift back around to the west and southwest.
The fresh breezes will push the smoke back across the border and out to sea, improving air quality across the region back to near normal levels.