UGH! Here we go again. After a consistently smoky sky during the summer of 2023, the haze, smoke, and lowered air quality are creeping back into Northeast Ohio.
There are currently over 100 wildfires ongoing across the country of Canada. Just like last summer, when the conditions have been favorable, hazy and smoky skies have been reported across Northeast Ohio over the past few days due to wildfires across Canada.
On Thursday, there are no current air quality alerts in effect, but according to AirNow.gov, the AQI has increased to moderate across much of northern and western Ohio.
In a social media post from Meteorologist Katie McGraw from Thursday morning, you could very clearly see the smoke and haze in the sky.
UGH! Wildfire smoke is back in our sky. Air quality has dipped into the moderate level, which means it should not affect *most* people. We can see the smoke on many of our cameras around Cleveland. AQ/visibility improve farther south (note the difference from CLE to Akron). pic.twitter.com/YFTwdBJ9un
— Katie McGraw (@KatieMcGrawx) May 16, 2024
Moderate values range from 51 to 100. A moderate AQI means air quality is acceptable and will not affect *most people*. However, there may be a risk for some people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. This typically includes the elderly, young children, and those with breathing or heart problems. The higher the AQI goes, the more people will become impacted by the air quality. For example, last summer, Northeast Ohio dealt with very unhealthy to hazardous air quality.
We have had northern winds on Thursday. That means the air is moving from north to south or from Canada to the US. Thankfully, air quality should improve by tonight as winds become southeasterly and rain returns tonight and continues into Friday.
For more information, visit the forecast of the Power of 5 Weather Team.
According to the Associated Press, fire officials have said it’s not clear if wildfire smoke will be the same problem it was during last year's record-setting wildfire summer.
The Associated Press also reports the threat of a wildfire near Canada’s oil sands hub of Fort McMurray, Alberta, appeared to be easing Wednesday, a day after thousands of residents were forced to evacuate their homes in the city of 68,000. Favorable winds were expected to push the fire away.
Want the latest Power of 5 weather team updates wherever you go? Download the News 5 App free now: Apple|Android
Download the StormShield app for weather alerts on your iOS and Android device: Apple|Android
Click here to view our interactive radar.
Read and watch the latest Power of 5 forecast here.
Follow the News 5 Weather Team:
Mark Johnson: Facebook & Twitter
Trent Magill: Facebook & Twitter
