NY air quality to worsen again Wednesday due to wildfire smoke
Hazy skies and poor air quality are expected around the region again this week due to wildfire smoke, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned Tuesday.
The governor asked high-risk populations, such as children, the elderly and those with respiratory issues, to avoid the outdoors on Wednesday. The state is expected to issue an air quality advisory as the Air Quality Index (AQI) could reach "unhealthy" levels in certain areas, including western and central New York.
It's difficult to forecast the smoke due to wind variables but western and central New York residents could see and feel the effects starting Wednesday morning. By Thursday, the wildfire smoke from Canada is expected to reach New York City residents.
Hochul added that she has directed her team to start the cell phone alert system to tell people in those problem areas. Airnow.gov is also available for you to check the air quality by zip code.
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"If you want to know the effects of climate change, you are going to feel it tomorrow in real-time. This is not something that we are talking future generations dealing with it, we are truly the first generation to feel the real effects of climate change and also the last generation to do anything meaningful about it," she said at a news conference about congestion pricing in New York City.
Due to incoming winds tonight and ongoing Canadian wildfires, New York City could experience worse air quality tomorrow, Wednesday, June 28.
We will keep New Yorkers informed on conditions outside and actions they can take to stay healthy. — Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) June 27, 2023
New York City Mayor Eric Adams also issued a warning on Tuesday, saying that the five boroughs could see worse air quality starting Wednesday.
Smoke from wildfires in Ontario and Quebec moved into Minnesota late Monday, the Associated Press reported. That includes the Twin Cities area, up to the northeast corner of the state and down to the southwest and southeast corners.
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Source: NBC New York
