Weather Alerts
Air Quality Alert issued July 13 at 11:54AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
(EGLE) has issued an Air Quality Alert for elevated levels of fine
particulate (PM2.5) for Sunday July 13th through Monday July 14th.
Pollutants across the state are expected to reach the Unhealthy (Red
AQI) to USG (Orange AQI) range in northern locations, with ranges of
USG to Moderate further south.
The Air Quality Alert Sunday and Monday is statewide. Wildfire smoke
from Canada continues to push into Michigan on Sunday, with additional
plumes expected Monday. Increased fine particulate levels due to
smoke are being seen Sunday morning across the Upper Peninsula into
the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula. The smoke will continue
tracking east and south, expanding across the rest of the state as
Sunday progresses, and additional plumes are forecast to move in on
Monday. The highest fine particulate concentrations will be seen in
northern areas with periods of Unhealthy AQI possible. Central
locations could see readings ranging from Unhealthy to USG, and
southern locations can expect levels of fine particulate in the USG
to Moderate range.
It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor
activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory
diseases like asthma. Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing,
coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat,
and eyes.
Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution,
such as: outdoor burning; use of residential wood burning devices.
Tips for households:
Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors
and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher
rated filters.
For further information, please see EPA's Air Now site for up to
date air quality data at https://www.airnow.gov