Maryland residents should prepare for hazy skies and deteriorating air quality as smoke from large wildfires in Central Canada is forecasted to reach the region on Thursday and Friday.
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has issued a Code Orange alert for much of the state beginning Thursday morning, indicating that sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions, should limit outdoor activities.
According to meteorologist Joel Dreessen from MDE, the air quality is anticipated to worsen further, with a potential elevation to Code Red on Friday. This change signifies that air quality will be unhealthy for all individuals, as a significant influx of smoke is expected around midnight on Friday.
The ongoing extreme heat, with temperatures reaching triple digits this week, is exacerbating the air quality situation, Dreessen noted. However, there is some optimism that predicted storms on Thursday could help alleviate the smoke's effects.
Residents in states to the north, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, have already experienced more severe smoke conditions, which resulted in reduced visibility and an orange hue to the sun. These conditions are similar to what Marylanders can expect on Friday, with some individuals likely to detect the smell of smoke outdoors.
In addition to the air quality concerns, the National Weather Service has issued a heat index warning for Maryland, predicting that temperatures will exceed 100 degrees. Baltimore has activated cooling centers and extended hours for public pools in response to the extreme heat.
Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).
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