Canadian wildfire smoke — again — brings unhealthy air quality to Philly region

UPDATE (June 30, 2023, 6:24 a.m.): Air quality is expected to improve throughout the day Friday. Pennsylvania and Delaware remain under a code orange alert.

Smoke emitting from wildfires in Canada is impacting the greater Philadelphia region, once again, as air quality alerts have been issued for the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Simply put, the air outside is unhealthy Thursday.

The NBC10 First Alert Weather team has issued a First Alert for unhealthy air in the entire Philadelphia region Thursday. People -- especially those at risk -- should consider limiting outdoor activities.

The AQI (Air Quality Index) in Philadelphia, Wilmington and other parts of the region was over 150 and nearing 200 late Thursday morning, as you can see in this air quality map. Those high levels continued into the afternoon.

What does all this mean to you? You may want to consider taking precautions:

Air quality alert 😷

Alerts began early Wednesday when the Delaware Department of National Resources and Environmental Control issued an orange air quality alert.

Since then, the National Weather Service has issued a code red alert Delaware, Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania suburbs. The code red continues through Thursday.

NBC10

New Jersey was then added to the code red alert late on Thursday morning.

In Philadelphia, the health department warned that air quality could vary depending on the wind.

NBC10 First Alert Weather meteorologist Marvin Gomez said sensitive groups include children, those who suffer from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly.

Gomez said a storm system produced "unsettled and severe weather" for several days, and it has moved out of the region.

However, he said, by moving out, a "calmer, drier air filled with smoke" from Canadian wildfires have moved into parts of the Ohio and Tennessee valleys.

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What do code orange and red alerts mean?

"A code red air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region are unhealthful for the general population," the National Weather Service said. "The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors."

"A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to the National Weather Service. "Sensitive groups include children...people suffering from asthma... heart disease or other lung diseases...and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors."

How long might this unhealthy air last?

By Thursday, NBC10 First Alert Weather meteorologist Bill Henley said it looked like the Canadian wildfire smoke would continue to increase and stay elevated through this afternoon.

However, Bill expected improving conditions Thursday night into Friday. The first spot to see the smoke decrease will be the Jersey shore, as a sea breeze kicks in Thursday afternoon. Then Friday, all of our neighborhoods should be enjoying a southerly breeze that should decrease the smoke and haze.

Air Quality Index values could fluctuate above 100, which is considered borderline unhealthy for sensitive groups. That was the case in Philly Thursday morning.

"Based on the most recent models, the Health Department is hopeful that this event will end by tomorrow morning, Philadelphia health officials said Thursday. "However, this forecast could change so residents are encouraged to continue monitoring the situation."

Out of an abundance of caution, Philadelphia moved summer camps indoors and closed public pools for Thursday, the city said.