The air quality index was raised to “unhealthy” for sensitive populations across Connecticut on Wednesday, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
West of Connecticut, unhealthy air quality is expected in parts of New York State, according to DEEP.
On Wednesday morning, a gray-white haze could be seen over the New Haven skyline from the top of West Rock State Park. Several cyclists and joggers huddled in the parking lot at the top of the rocky ridge, running or walking in the stifling humidity. The breeze carried the faint smell of smoke.
Satellite images around 10 a.m. showed a thick layer of smoke drifting south from the Hartford area.
Poor air quality is caused by particle pollution, a type of air pollution caused by wildfire smoke.
The Air Quality Index is a color-coded scale that officials use to measure air quality. Air that is harmful to sensitive populations, such as people with asthma, may have negative health effects, although the general public is less likely to be affected.
DEEP predicts the air quality index could reach 136 on Wednesday in some cities and towns along the coast – Bridgeport, Greenwich, Stratford and Westport. This number is higher than the AQI of 93 that was forecast for the same communities earlier in the day.
Smog is wildfire smoke that has spread across the region from fires burning in Canada. While this will instantly bring back memories of the summer of 2023, when heavy concentrations of smoke led to poor air quality in the Northeast, the smoke forecast for Wednesday is expected to be less dramatic.
Ozone, a separate type of air pollution that is formed when pollutants from cars and other sources interact with sunlight, is expected to decline Wednesday. The concentration of the gas, which consists of three oxygen atoms, will be good to moderate in the environment. Ozone levels were elevated Tuesday, especially in coastal areas of Connecticut.
Air pollution from wildfire smoke, known as PM2.5, contains ultrafine particles. The name refers to particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or smaller. These particles can cause a variety of lung and heart problems, including respiratory symptoms and premature death in people with heart or lung disease. In addition to wildfires, particulate pollution can also come from other sources, such as dirt roads, construction, and smokestacks.
Otherwise, Wednesday is expected to be hot and humid as the heat peak hits Connecticut. Intermittent rain and thunderstorms are possible during the day and evening.
The weather service’s New York office said the smoke could cause reduced visibility late Wednesday. But smoke can also affect heat and the likelihood of storms. Surface heating can be “muted,” the office said, while “a more stable environment can help prevent convection.”
Smoky skies are also expected Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.