ALERT: Code Purple air quality alert for Pennsylvania as Canadian wildfire smoke settles across region
Yeah, Laurie and Jerry, yeah, we’ve been, we’re, we’re in the flow of high pressure right now, but the flow from that area of high pressure is what’s bringing in that smoke from Ontario into the Susquehanna Valley, unfortunately. I want to show you the, uh, the current air quality map that we have here. Uh, this is, this is for today, so you can see actually here’s an update. Uh, the air quality has actually went from moderate to poor last time we checked here, uh, for our southern communities, but if you’re tuning in. From Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry counties, uh, it is looking unhealthy to, to harmful across the area. And then just *** side note that I’ll mention here, uh, since doing the 45, and 6 o’clock newscast so far, there certainly has been *** difference in the, uh, in what I’m seeing in terms of the haze, and that’s why we’re seeing this code red air quality alert across the Susquehanna Valley. And that’s, you know, we’ll be continuing to track that as we get into tomorrow, but the smoke, it’s gonna be getting worse. So check this out as we go through the next. Several hours, the, the amount of smoke in the atmosphere is going to be increasing and, and it’s gonna be, becoming very high in concentration by the time we get to our Friday morning and also into our Friday afternoon. And so because of that, because we’ll be seeing higher concentration of smoke, it’s going to become harmful to borderline hazardous as we get into our Friday afternoon and also into our Friday evening. So code purple air quality alert, meaning that it’s the air quality is very unhealthy, very harmful. For all coughing, stinging eyes, and breathing difficulties will be on the table if you spend too much time outdoors. And if you have an HVAC system, make sure that you set it to recirculate air, keep your windows and doors closed. And that’s something that we’ve been talking about too is the chances for storms for later on. But the thing is, and Ethan and I, you and I have been talking about this, the smoke so far has been keeping *** cap on some of the potential for an isolated storm or two.
ALERT: Code Purple air quality alert for Pennsylvania as Canadian wildfire smoke settles across region
Updated: 10:05 PM EDT Jul 16, 2026
A Code Purple air quality alert will be in effect for south-central Pennsylvania on Friday as thick wildfire smoke continues to swirl across the region, creating potentially harmful conditions for everyone, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.The WGAL News 8 Storm Team has declared Friday an Alert Day, meaning the day could feature potentially life-threatening weather.A Code Purple is worse than a Code Red air quality alert, which was in effect Thursday. Canadian wildfire smokeSmoke from wildfires burning in southern Ontario and northern Minnesota is spreading across the Great Lakes and Northeast.That smoke is now concentrated near the surface, making air quality unhealthy across Pennsylvania.Below: Near-surface smoke forecast in south-central PennsylvaniaWhat does a Code Purple mean?Air quality is very unhealthy/harmful for all.Possible effects include:CoughingStinging eyesBreathing difficultiesRecommended stepsLimit time outdoorsAvoid strenuous outdoor activityKeep windows closed if possibleUse air conditioning on recirculateMonitor symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breathCheck local air quality sensors and forecasts before going outsideWhen will air quality improve? Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible Saturday, which could help improve air quality this weekend.Potential for strong storms on SaturdayThe WGAL News 8 Storm Team has declared Friday an Impact Day, meaning the weather is likely to disrupt your normal daily schedule or routine.Scattered showers and thunderstorms are in store Saturday, as a warm front moves north in the morning, then a cold front approaches toward evening.We’re under a slight risk of severe weather (2/5), meaning a few storms could produce damaging wind gusts, along with heavy rain. Humidity will increase Saturday, and highs will reach the mid-80s.Check live conditions around the ValleySOUTH-CENTRAL PA WEATHER RESOURCES: INTERACTIVE RADAR | ACTIVE WEATHER ALERTS | CURRENT CONDITIONS | HOURLY FORECAST | 10-DAY FORECAST | WEEKEND FORECAST | MAP ROOM | DOWNLOAD THE APP | WEATHER EMAILS
A Code Purple air quality alert will be in effect for south-central Pennsylvania on Friday as thick wildfire smoke continues to swirl across the region, creating potentially harmful conditions for everyone, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
The WGAL News 8 Storm Team has declared Friday an Alert Day, meaning the day could feature potentially life-threatening weather.
A Code Purple is worse than a Code Red air quality alert, which was in effect Thursday.
Canadian wildfire smoke
Smoke from wildfires burning in southern Ontario and northern Minnesota is spreading across the Great Lakes and Northeast.
That smoke is now concentrated near the surface, making air quality unhealthy across Pennsylvania.
Below: Near-surface smoke forecast in south-central Pennsylvania
What does a Code Purple mean?Air quality is very unhealthy/harmful for all.Possible effects include:CoughingStinging eyesBreathing difficulties
Recommended stepsLimit time outdoorsAvoid strenuous outdoor activityKeep windows closed if possibleUse air conditioning on recirculateMonitor symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breathCheck local air quality sensors and forecasts before going outside
When will air quality improve?
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible Saturday, which could help improve air quality this weekend.
Potential for strong storms on Saturday
The WGAL News 8 Storm Team has declared Friday an Impact Day, meaning the weather is likely to disrupt your normal daily schedule or routine.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are in store Saturday, as a warm front moves north in the morning, then a cold front approaches toward evening.
We’re under a slight risk of severe weather (2/5), meaning a few storms could produce damaging wind gusts, along with heavy rain.
Humidity will increase Saturday, and highs will reach the mid-80s.
Check live conditions around the Valley
SOUTH-CENTRAL PA WEATHER RESOURCES: INTERACTIVE RADAR | ACTIVE WEATHER ALERTS | CURRENT CONDITIONS | HOURLY FORECAST | 10-DAY FORECAST | WEEKEND FORECAST | MAP ROOM | DOWNLOAD THE APP | WEATHER EMAILS