Wildfire smoke and poor air quality conditions are improving, but still lingering in Cincinnati.
An air quality alert for the entire state of Ohio was extended over the weekend, as smoke from hundreds of wildfires in Canada and Minnesota pushed south to the Ohio River.
The wildfire smoke continues as 944 wildfires, including 104 classified as out of control, are burning throughout Canada as of Monday, July 20 morning, according to the country’s national wildland fire summary.
According to AirNow, cities across Ohio are seeing varying air quality indexes. In Cincinnati and Dayton, air quality rates are unhealthy for sensitive groups (orange).
Here’s what to know about Cincinnati’s air quality.
Air Quality Index readings in Cincinnati
The Air Quality Index is the index used by the EPA to measure air quality and track levels of pollution.
As of Monday morning, the Air Quality Index for the Cincinnati region is 106, according to AirNow, which means the air is “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens should choose less strenuous activities (like walking instead of running) so you don’t breathe as hard, shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors and be active outdoors when air quality is better.As for everyone else, the air quality shouldn’t impact your daily routine or outdoor activities.
Air Quality Index guidelines (ozone and particle pollution)
Some people are more sensitive to air pollution because of their age or health. People who are active or work outdoors are also at higher risk when the air quality is poor. Health concerns related to poor air quality may include difficulty breathing, coughing or wheezing and more serious health effects such as lung damage, asthma attacks, heart attacks and stroke.
Here’s how to interpret the Air Quality Index values, according to the U.S. EPA:
How to check Cincinnati’s 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 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.
Monday’s weather in Cincinnati
The Queen City will begin its work week with patchy smoke lingering between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. It will remain mostly sunny with temperatures reaching a high near 90, with calm wind.
Tuesday will bring showers and thunderstorms before 2 p.m. Heat index values as high as 100 are possible.
Contributing: Cheryl Vari, The Cincinnati Enquirer and The Detroit Free Press.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What’s the air quality in Cincinnati today?
Reporting by Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
