New York City air quality is set to gradually improve Friday as a weak front pushes Canadian wildfire smoke to the South, welcome news for many forced to mask up a day ago when the city saw its worst AQI in years.
As of 7 a.m., federal data show air quality at an unhealthy level for the New York City region. Much of New Jersey still had “unhealthy” air Friday morning as well. Those levels are expected to moderate through the day.
Late Thursday, the AQI for the city topped 230, which is considered “very unhealthy” by federal standards and marks the highest number in three years.
At those levels, just being outside could cause health issues for everyone, especially any sensitive groups like older adults, children, or those with medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, or asthma. Those groups should continue to take additional precautions as the smoke lifts Friday into Saturday.
The smoke is coming from wildfires burning primarily in Ontario. The combination of high pressure over the Central U.S. and low pressure over Eastern Canada has been funneling the smoke into the tri-state. Smoke concentrations trend still lower Saturday, as rain through the day helps scrub smoke particles from the air.
Experts suggest wearing a KN95 mask if you have to be outside and keeping your indoor air cleaner by closing windows and running an air purifier or air conditioner.
Remember when THAT happened?
Many people remember the extreme wildfire smoke that blanketed the tri-state area on June 7, 2023. A deep orange haze engulfed New York City and the Northeast, and extended west to Minnesota.
On that day, the AQI in NYC peaked at 416, well into the “hazardous” zone.
Parts of the country, including Chicago, saw air quality levels in the hazardous zone Thursday from the latest round of wildfire smoke.
