Wildfire smoke and poor air quality are blanketing Michigan again Sunday, July 19, after a brief break from poor air quality in most of the Lower Peninsula on Saturday, July 18.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is issuing Air Quality Alerts for elevated levels of fine particulate (PM2.5) for Sunday, July 19, and Monday, July 20.
The wildfire smoke continues as 954 wildfires, including 138 classified as out of control, are burning throughout Canada as of Sunday afternoon, according to the country’s national wildland fire summary.
Here’s what to know about Michigan’s air quality.
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.
The EPA and federal partners maintain a database of past, current and predicted local air quality.
Here’s the air quality index in different parts of Michigan as of 3 p.m. Sunday, according AirNow.gov:
Forecast into Monday
On Sunday, fine particulates levels are expected to range between unhealthy in the Upper Peninsula to unhealthy for sensitive groups in the Lower Peninsula, according to EGLE Sunday morning.
Monday looks to continue the trend of slow improvement, according to EGLE. Smoke models are showing decreasing smoke concentrations, though some smoke is expected to linger.
In Detroit, the AQI is 134 as of 3 p.m. Air quality is projected to stay in the unhealthy for sensitive groups classification Sunday and Monday.
Similar conditions are expected in Oakland and Macomb counties.
Up North in Marquette, the AQI is classified as very unhealthy at 203 as of 9 a.m. It is forecast to improve to unhealthy later in the day Sunday and to unhealthy for sensitive groups on Monday.
In Traverse City, the air quality is classified as unhealthy at 169 as of 3 p.m. It is forecast to improve to unhealthy for sensitive groups later in the day Sunday and remain that way into Monday.
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.
Sunday’s weather in metro Detroit
In metro Detroit, high pressure is expected to bring light wind and clouds, according to the National Weather Service. High temperatures this afternoon will range from the mid 70s to low80s.
Models suggest the densest plume of smoke should be overhead this morning, according to NWS.
Sarah Moore and Kristi Tanner contributed to this reporting.
Contact Natalie Davies at ndavies@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What’s the air quality in Michigan today?
Reporting by Natalie Davies, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Natalie Davies, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
