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Michigan Air Quality Clears, Then Dips Again
18 Jul
Summary
- Lower Peninsula air quality improved, but Upper Peninsula remains unhealthy.
- Statewide air quality alert canceled for some counties, but more expected Sunday.
- Air quality levels are forecast to decline again across Michigan on Sunday.
Wildfire smoke brought mixed relief to Michigan on Saturday, July 18. Residents in many Lower Peninsula areas woke to improved air quality, prompting the cancellation of alerts in numerous counties. Conversely, some areas, particularly in the Upper Peninsula, are still contending with "very unhealthy" air conditions.
The National Weather Service and Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy indicate that while the severity of smoke has lessened across much of the state, elevated fine particulate levels persist. A statewide air quality alert is anticipated to return on Sunday, July 19, as another smoke plume is forecast to move through.
Detroit's air quality, rated as "moderate" on Saturday morning, is expected to degrade to "unhealthy for everyone" by Saturday evening and "unhealthy for sensitive groups" into Sunday. Similar conditions are predicted for Macomb and Oakland counties. The Upper Peninsula, especially Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie, will continue to face unhealthy to very unhealthy air throughout Saturday and into Sunday.
