Poor Air Quality Across the Northern Plains, Great Lakes

Wildfires across the Canadian Providences of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, western Ontario continue to produce and send smoke and haze into the northern United States this weekend, resulting in poor air quality. 

Today

The Air Quality Index ranges from 0-500 and has a 1 to 6 scale. Today's air quality will generally range from the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (50-150). Moderate is 2 on a scale out of 6 (50-100). Unhealthy for Sensitive groups is a 3 out of 6 (100-150). Unhealthy is a 4 out of 6 (150-200). 

The good news is that some improvements to the air quality will be seen across the Upper Midwest into the Great Lakes as compared to Friday. The greatest improvements will be made from Minnesota to Missouri and eastward into Illinois and Wisconsin. Air quality will drop from Unhealthy (150-200) this morning to Moderate (50-100) for many as the day goes on today, though it may remain in the Unhealthy for Sensitive groups (100-150).  

Areas across northern New England may start to experience a worsening of air quality during the afternoon and evening as some smoke and haze move into the region. Air quality may drop into the Moderate (50-100) range by the end of the day. 

Sunday

Air Quality is likely to worsen again across portions of the Great Lakes into the Northeast as smoke and haze continue to spread into the regions. In fact, air quality may become Unhealthy (150-200) across northern New England and across portions of Michigan. Air quality may degrade into the Moderate (50-100) to Unhealthy for Sensitive groups (100-150) across New York through central New England. 

Short-term exposure of poor air quality has been known to cause irritation of the nose, eyes, and throat, as well as coughing and shortness of breath. Understanding health issues you may have is important and limiting exposure of poor air quality should be of the utmost priority. 

Air quality forecasts can change quickly. Be sure to check out the WeatherBug app for live updates of the Air Quality Index at your location.