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Smoke Clears: PA Air Quality Improves After Wildfire Haze
18 Jul
Summary
- Pennsylvania air quality improved from Code Purple to Code Orange on Saturday.
- Hundreds of active wildfires in Canada contributed to unhealthy air.
- A cold front brought showers and thunderstorms, helping to clear the smoke.
Air quality across Pennsylvania began to improve on Saturday, July 18, offering relief to residents affected by smoke from Canadian wildfires. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission issued a Code Orange alert for the Philadelphia Metro area, a notable reduction from Friday's statewide Code Purple alert. This improvement is largely due to a cold front moving into the region, bringing with it showers and thunderstorms that are helping to push the dense smoke out.
Friday's Code Purple alert signified that air quality was unhealthy for everyone, prompting advisories for residents to limit outdoor activity. The smoke originated from over 850 active wildfires in Canada, many of which were classified as out of control. This haze caused widespread disruptions, including the postponement of outdoor events and attractions across the state.
Forecasters anticipate continued improvement throughout the weekend. While some localized haze might linger, the most hazardous smoke concentrations are expected to ease by Sunday and Monday, returning air quality to typical summer levels. The changing weather patterns are crucial in mitigating the impact of the ongoing wildfire season in Canada.
