June 7 Code Red Lowest Air Quality From Wildfire Smoke

June 7, 2023

Wednesday Morning Update

Today we can smell it! This is all about that wildfire smoke and when you step outside you will surely notice it!

That persistent track of smoke from the Canadian (and Michigan) wildfires has now resulted in the thickest particulates for our region. The net result has our region under some rare alerts for very poor air quality.

If your eyes have been watering or if you have been coughing, it is more likely from this smoke and not the pollen.

Yesterday, the worst polluted city in the world was New York City. This image shows the orange haze over Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon. It was ranked the worst pollution among major cities around the globe.

New York City now has the worst air quality of any city on Earth.

If exposed to the current air quality in NYC for 24 hours, it would be equivalent to smoking about 6 cigarettes. pic.twitter.com/EWeEnQH9ya

— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) June 7, 2023

This was sunset in Central Maryland on Tuesday. I captured this by Slacks Road in Sykesville.

Today’s Worst Cities

This morning, New York and Detroit were ranked 2nd and 3rd. This plume has been expanding south our way!

Air Quality Map: EPA

The ranking of Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy for much of the region.

Air Quality Alert

Today: Code Red. This is the worst level and it is appropriate. This applies to all groups, not just the sensitive or elderly. I personally will be doing my workout indoors.

I am not sure why Southern Pennsylvania is not included but I believe it should be.

Morning Surface Weather

The flare-up of fresh wildfires appears to be across Northern Michigan and between Ontario and Quebec in Canada.

Under normal conditions, our weather would be considered pleasant. However, that cool north wind is bringing in a thick haze even with cooler temps.

Smoke Forecast:  8 AM WED to 11 PM THU

Air Quality Forecast

Today may be the worst! We can hope this plays out with a gradual improvement over the next few days. This weekend may still have some haze, but less than what we will see and smell today.

4 PM Afternoon Temperatures

It will be comfortably cool for the season, but a very deceiving haze will make it look hazy and humid.

Reminder: That code red alert is a suggestion for all to limit outdoor activities and workouts.

EXPLORE MORE

Building Drought As We Begin June

2023 Hurricane Season Forecast With An El Niño Watch

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CLIMATE DATA

TODAY June 7

Normal Low in Baltimore:  60ºF

Record 56ºF in 1891

Normal High in Baltimore: 82ºF

Record 96ºF 1999

Thursday Weather

Morning Temperatures

Afternoon Temperatures

Still smokey haze even with a cooler breeze.

Rain Outlook

A small chance of showers on Friday afternoon, but region-wide only 20%. A widespread opportunity for rain will arrive Monday (50%).

7 Day Forecast

If we didn’t have the smoke and drought, this would be a nice forecast. Temperatures remain mostly below average.

The chance of showers on Friday will be low, then more widespread Monday.

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Also See: 

La Niña Has Ended. El Niño May Return By Fall

Aurora Photos From Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia

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RESTATING MY MESSAGE ABOUT DYSLEXIA

I am aware there are some spelling and grammar typos, and occasional other glitches. I take responsibility for my mistakes, and even the computer glitches I may miss. I have made a few public statements over the years, but if you are new here you may have missed it: I have dyslexia, and found out during my second year at Cornell University. It didn’t stop me from getting my meteorology degree, and being first to get the AMS CBM in the Baltimore/Washington region. One of my professors told me that I had made it that far without knowing, and to not let it be a crutch going forward. That was Mark Wysocki and he was absolutely correct! I do miss my mistakes in my own proofreading. The autocorrect spell check on my computer sometimes does an injustice to make it worse. I also can make mistakes in forecasting. No one is perfect predicting the future. All of the maps and information are accurate. The ‘wordy’ stuff can get sticky.  There has been no editor that can check my work when I needed it and have it ready to send out in a newsworthy timeline. Barbara Werner is a member of the web team that helps me maintain this site. She has taken it upon herself to edit typos, when she is able. That could be AFTER you read this. I accept this and perhaps proves what you read is really from me… It’s part of my charm.

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