Parts of the Upper Midwest were under air quality alerts on Tuesday, with the New York City region expected to be at risk on Wednesday due to smoke from wildfires in Canada.
The National Weather Service issued air quality alerts for New York City and surrounding suburbs, including areas in New Jersey and southern Connecticut. Vulnerable groups were advised to stay indoors or limit outdoor activities from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
On Tuesday, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and parts of Nebraska and Michigan were also under air quality alerts. Smoke from the wildfires was reported to cover at least a third of the United States, with expectations for it to reach New England later in the day.
Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with the Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center, noted that satellite imagery showed smoke extending from the Dakotas through the Midwest, into the Ohio Valley, and reaching as far north as New York and south to northern Florida.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued an air quality alert for the entire state through 6 a.m. Thursday, indicating unhealthy levels for sensitive groups and potentially for healthy individuals as well. Residents were advised to limit outdoor activity until conditions improved.
In Minnesota, the air quality alert was set to remain in effect through noon on Wednesday, with some areas expected to reach the red category, indicating dangerous conditions for all. The air quality index in the Twin Cities reached very unhealthy levels early Tuesday but improved slightly by late morning.
In Richfield, Minnesota, outdoor recreational programs were canceled due to air quality concerns. Social media images depicted hazy skies in St. Paul, with some residents reporting unusual smells.
Canada's wildfire season began with severe incidents, including fatalities and mass evacuations. Recent wildfires in Saskatchewan and Manitoba have displaced thousands, with a cold front pushing smoke into the United States.
In Marquette, Michigan, residents reported thick haze and strong smoke odors affecting visibility. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued an air quality advisory, warning of potentially very unhealthy air quality statewide.
The wildfire smoke coincided with a dust plume from the Sahara heading toward the Gulf Coast, although it is expected that the smoke will dissipate as the dust arrives.