Many Michiganders in the Lower Peninsula woke up to some relief from the heavy wildfire smoke Saturday morning, July 18, while others in and near parts of the Upper Peninsula continue to face air quality classified as “very unhealthy.”
The air quality alert that was originally in place for the entire state on Saturday has been canceled in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Livingston, Washtenaw, Lenawee, Monroe, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch and Hillsdale counties, according to the National Weather Service Saturday morning.
Though the severity of the smoke has lowered in most of the state, many counties remain under an air quality alert Saturday for elevated levels of fine particulate from the smoke, according to the National Weather Service and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Throughout the state, air quality is forecast to decline again on Sunday, July 19, with a statewide alert back in effect.
Here’s what to know:
Current air quality index readings
The Air Quality Index is the index used by the EPA to measure air quality and track levels of pollution.
Readings from 0-50, or green on the index, mean air is generally good quality. Readings between 51-100, or yellow on the index, mean the air is acceptable, though there may be risks for people unusually sensitive to air pollution. Readings between 101 to 150, or orange on the index, mean members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. Readings between 151 to 200, or red on the index, are unhealthy. Readings between 201 to 300, or purple on the index, are very unhealthy. And readings above 301, or maroon on the index, are hazardous for anyone to breathe.
Here’s the air quality index in different parts of Michigan as of 10 a.m., according to NOAA:
Air quality forecast for Saturday into Sunday
Though smoke improved in the southern portion of Michigan early Saturday, another plume is forecast to track through the state Saturday lasting into Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
“Concentrations will be high enough across northern areas to warrant an Air Quality Alert for Saturday, and by Sunday levels will be high enough to warrant another statewide Alert,” according to NWS on Saturday morning. “With smoke lingering across the state, ozone also has the potential to increase quickly.”
The air quality in Detroit on Saturday morning is classified as “moderate,” meaning for people “unusually sensitive to particle pollution” should consider reducing activity levels and time outside. On Saturday evening, Detroit is predicted to return to levels unhealthy for everyone. On Saturday night into Sunday, July 19, it is forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to the Environmental Protection Administration Office of Atmospheric Protection and EGLE.
In Macomb and Oakland counties, the air quality is moderate on Saturday morning and forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive groups Sunday.
In Marquette, the air Saturday is classified as “very unhealthy” and is expected to stay unhealthy into Sunday, according to EGLE.
In Sault Ste Marie, the air quality is forecasted between very unhealthy and unhealthy all day Saturday. Some improvement is in the forecast for Sunday, with air quality in the unhealthy for sensitive groups range.
The Upper Peninsula will be most affected by the smoke on Saturday with fine particulate levels deteriorating from north to south through Saturday, according to NWS.
You can search your city and its forecast based on EPA and EGLE data on the U.S. AirNow page here.
How to check Michigan air quality today
The map below displays the current air quality at monitoring sites in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Air monitoring sites are color-coded based on the pollutant (ozone or particulate matter) with the highest value. Particles that are less than 10 micrometers and 2.5 micrometers in diameter are called PM10 and PM2.5, respectively.
An AQI of 50 or below means the current air quality is good. The shaded areas of the map show the approximate boundaries where air quality is available and listed as anything other than good. The information is updated hourly.
Can’t see the map below? Tap here.
Storms possible for SE Michigan on Saturday
A band of thunderstorms has potential to sweep through southeast Michigan moving a cold front Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service forecast. Strong to severe storms are possible between noon and 4 p.m. with damaging wind gusts the primary threat. Isolated stronger storms may produce large hail or a tornado.
Sarah Moore and Kristi Tanner contributed to this reporting.
Contact Natalie Davies at ndavies@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan air quality improves Saturday but expected to decline Sunday
Reporting by Natalie Davies, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Natalie Davies, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
