Hazy Skies Over NYC: Wildfire Smoke Returns, Affecting Air Quality

New York City residents are waking up to hazy skies once again, as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to drift into the area. While the smoke is mainly aloft, enough is reaching the surface to impact air quality, especially in the north and east of the city.

Meteorologist Jeff Smith predicts that the smoke will thicken and the skies will become even hazier throughout Thursday and into Friday. However, he assures that the air quality will remain moderate on Thursday.

The air quality index (AQI) on Wednesday was 76 for New York City, considered moderate. This means that individuals sensitive to particle pollution may want to reduce their outdoor activities or shorten their time spent outside.

AQI Basics for Ozone and Particle Pollution

Here's a quick guide to understanding the AQI:

0 to 50: Air quality is satisfactory, with little to no risk.
51 to 100: Air quality is acceptable, but some may be at risk, especially those sensitive to air pollution.
101 to 150: Sensitive groups may experience health effects, while the general public is less likely to be affected.
151 to 200: Some members of the general public may experience health effects, while sensitive groups may experience more serious effects.
201 to 300: Health alert: Increased risk of health effects for everyone.
301 and higher: Health warning of emergency conditions: Everyone is at increased risk.

If you're concerned about air quality, you can find the latest information on the ABC7 Air Quality Tracker.

Hazy Skies Over NYC: Wildfire Smoke Returns, Affecting Air Quality