The air quality here is going to get worse before it gets better later Friday.
Smoke from hundreds of wildfires in Canada will push southwest July 17 morning, reaching the Greater Cincinnati region before moving to the east later in the day, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
All local counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana are under an air quality alert until midnight. A regional advisory was issued by the Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency. Additionally, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has issued an Air Quality Advisory for the entire state of as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to adversely impact air quality.
Air quality advisory
Fine particulate levels are expected to be in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range in the region. People, especially those with respiratory illnesses, are advised to restrict time outdoors.
Conditions to the north and east of the region are expected to be worse. Pollutants there are expected to be in the “Unhealthy” category in the rest of the state. “Hourly concentrations at times may reach the “Very Unhealthy” to “Hazardous” categories, according to the Ohio EPA.
The smoky conditions will be accompanied by warm weather Friday. A high of 91 degrees is expected and heat index values could reach 105 degrees. Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 5 p.m.
When will the air quality get better
The air quality advisory is in effect until midnight Friday.
Areas of smoke are pushing into the region in the morning and are expected to move down to about the Ohio River through daybreak.
Smoke is expected to back off to the northeast later in the morning and into this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
The smoke is expected to clear as showers and storms arrive in the evening.
Air quality index right now
According to AirNow, cities across Ohio are seeing varying air quality indexes.
As of July 17, conditions in Cleveland are the worst, where conditions were labeled “Hazardous.” Conditions in Youngstown are considered “Very Unhealthy.”
Conditions in the Akron and Columbus are rated “Unhealthy.”
In Cincinnati and Dayton, air quality rates are “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.”
Where are the wildfires in Canada?
USA TODAY reports that more than 800 wildfires are burning across Canada, particularly in northwestern Ontario and neighboring regions, including Minnesota. Smoke from those fires has spread across the Great Lakes, including Ohio, and is forecast to move toward New Jersey and the Northeast.
Canadian wildfire smoke map
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Air quality alert in effect for Ohio. When will wildfire smoke clear?
Reporting by Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
