New York City is set to be smothered in orange haze AGAIN as toxic smoke from Canadian wildfires descends on the Big Apple for the second time this year: Air quality index drops to ‘moderate’
New York City will be smothered in an orange haze AGAIN as toxic smoke from Canadian wildfires descends on the Big Apple for the second time this year: the air quality index drops to ‘moderate’
- Officials warned residents Sunday to expect hazy conditions at sunrise, citing northerly winds that would bring several plumes of smoke back into the region.
- The smoke is expected to remain above the surface, forecasters warned – resulting in a visible haze similar to that exposed to civilians in June
- Although scientists say the smoke will only cause some blurriness this time, those with sensitivity may still want to heed it, officials said.
Smoke from wildfires in Canada is expected to reach New York City again on Monday, months after a haze blanketed boroughs with unhealthy air.
Officials warned residents Sunday to expect hazy conditions at sunrise, citing The northerly wind will bring several plumes of smoke back into the region.
The smoke is expected to remain above the surface, forecasters further warned — resulting in a clear, visible haze similar to that New Yorkers were exposed to in June.
Although scientists say the smoke is only expected to cause some haze this time, those with sensitivity may still want to heed it, officials have stated – as air quality is expected to reach well into the ‘moderate’ category.
Taken from the country’s air quality index, a benchmark of 0-50 is generally accepted as good, while anything above 100 is generally considered unhealthy. As of 9 a.m., New York’s air quality was at a “moderate” 58 – a level that remains threatening to those with pre-existing problems.
Smoke from wildfires in Canada is expected to reach New York City again on Monday, months after a haze blanketed boroughs with unhealthy air. The city skyline can be seen on Sunday
The smoke is expected to remain above the surface, forecasters further warned – resulting in a clear, visible haze similar to that New Yorkers were exposed to in June, when parts of the Big Apple reached air quality above 480 – a level which is technically off the charts
For reference, in June, when much of the Big Apple was shrouded in Blade Runner-esque fog, the index reached an eye-popping 480 — a level that’s technically off the charts.
On Monday, with some light smog already visible, Fox 5 local weather authority Mike Woods said citizens should be on the lookout, but not let things get out of hand:
“If you’re in the sensitive group, yes, you probably want to take it easy,” he said, mentioning people with lunchtime ailments and conditions such as asthma.
He then added, “But compared to what we had in June, this is virtually nothing.”
Hours earlier, Mayor Eric Adams, having done little to prepare the city last time, had sent out his own warning via his official social media, telling New Yorkers that they should “probably tomorrow morning (and) all day tomorrow will see a hazy sky.’
The 63-year-old added Sunday that his team was “monitoring wildfire smoke from Canada that could move through the Tri-state area” as fires continue to rage in the Northwest Territories.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation added in its own statement that as the “wildfires in Canada continue to cause some smoke impacts in NYS, high-altitude smoke may be visible across the state.”
Mayor Eric Adams warned that his team on Monday is “monitoring wildfire smoke from Canada that may move through the Tri-state area” as fires continue to rage in the Northwest Territories
According to the country’s air quality index, a benchmark of 0-50 is generally accepted as good, while anything above 100 is generally considered unhealthy. As of 9 a.m., air quality in New York was at a ‘moderate’ 58 – a level that remains threatening to those with pre-existing problems
As for further east and north, breathing conditions will be slightly more optimal, the agency said — although Upstate air quality will still be poor enough to warrant a ‘moderate’ rating.
Such warnings, especially in the city, will ensure that citizens with pre-existing health problems will take precautions, such as digging out their masks due to the forecast air quality, which according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be 60 on Sunday.