NJDEP Issues Unhealthy Air Alert Though Friday 11:59 p.m.
June 8, 2023
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Smoke from Canadian wildfires that has created some apocalyptic looking skies the past few days, continues to blanket the area and is expected to continue through Friday.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued Air Quality Action Day for Thursday, June 8, 2023, and is being upgraded to the Unhealthy category statewide. In addition, this alert has been extended to Friday, June 9th at 11:59 pm.
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly reported the highest concentrations of smoke should be dissipating through the morning hours and into the afternoon across the region. However late this evening, we anticipate the haze and smoke to become more dense.
The Federal Aviation Administration reported reduced visibility from wildfire smoke will continue to impact air travel today. We will likely need to take steps to manage the flow of traffic safely into New York City, DC, Philadelphia and Charlotte.
METAR Data for the following as of 12:00 Eastern Time:
Newark Liberty Airport KEWR: 2.5 Miles visibility smoke, haze, broken clouds.
Trenton Mercer Airport KTTN: 3 Miles visibility haze and clear sky.
North East Philadelphia Airport KPNE: 4 Miles visibility, haze and clear sky.
McGuire Air Force Base KWRI: 3 Miles visibility haze and broken clouds.
Philadelphia International Airport KPHL: 3 Miles visibility haze and scattered clouds.
Atlantic City International Airport KACY: 2.5 Miles visibility and haze
The Air Quality Action Day for Thursday, June 8th is being upgraded to the Unhealthy category statewide. In addition, this alert has been extended to Friday, June 9th at 11:59 pm.
Wildfire smoke creates tiny particles in the air that can be harmful to your health. Levels of these tiny particles will remain in the unhealthy category through the daytime hours today due to the wildfire smoke from eastern Canadian wildfires. As the weather pattern shifts, the smoke plume is forecast to slowly begin to dissipate, however fine particle concentrations are still expected to remain elevated in the unhealthy for sensitive groups (USG) category through the evening on Friday night.
What does this mean?
Some members of the general public may experience health effects, while members of sensitive groups, including those with heart or lung disease, the elderly, and the young, may experience more serious health effects. All individuals should limit strenuous activities and the amount of time active outdoors especially in the evening hours. In addition, ozone is forecast to reach the low moderate category as sunny skies, light winds, and warm temperatures are forecast for the Garden State.
See resources on how to protect yourself on poor air quality days below:
Should any new developments occur, the forecast on AirNow.gov will be updated accordingly. Airnow.gov recursos en Español.
If you have to travel and need a mask, New Jersey Transit is offering courtesy N95 masks at Customer Service offices in Newark Penn Station, Hoboken, Secaucus, Trenton, Camden & Atlantic City (Bus & Rail Terminals).
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