Chicago, Minneapolis blanketed by worst air quality in world as Canadian wildfire smoke persists into weekend
Air Quality Alerts remain in effect for Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois and northern Indiana, covering nearly 70 million Americans in major cities such as Minneapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit.
Wildfire smoke severely reducing air quality across 12 states
Air Quality Alerts are in effect for all of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois. They are also in effect for parts of Indiana (including South Bend), Nebraska (Lincoln & Omaha) and Missouri (St. Louis). Unhealthy to very unhealthy air quality has been reported. Air quality at these levels adversely impacts everyone. The smoke is coming down out of Canada as a result of large-scale northerly winds behind the cold front which is slicing through the eastern half of the country. So while millions are finally experiencing cool, less humid air, they unfortunately cannot take advantage of it, due to the presence of the thick smoke.
Air quality will continue to deteriorate across 12 states through Saturday, mainly in the Upper Midwest, as wildfire smoke pours into the US from northwestern Canada brought by the cold front that is ushering in a brief summer cooldown.
Northerly winds began pushing smoke south into Minnesota, Wisconsin, northern Illinois and Michigan on Thursday, where some places like Chicago and Minneapolis saw some of the worst air quality in the world, according to some metrics.
Meanwhile, wildfires burning in Utah and in northern Arizona, including in the Grand Canyon, will reduce air quality in Denver and other parts of Colorado and the Interstate 25 corridor.
(FOX Weather)
Air Quality Alerts remain in effect for Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois and northern Indiana, covering nearly 70 million Americans in major cities such as Minneapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit.
Photos from Minneapolis early Thursday morning showed a thick haze blanketing the region.
Hazy sunrise at Lake Minnetonka in Excelsior, Minnesota on July 31 as Canadian wildfire smoke creates unhealthy air quality in the upper Midwest.
(FOX 9 Minneapolis / FOX 9)
Air quality indices in Wisconsin have pushed into the "very unhealthy" range and are now some of the unhealthiest in the nation as of Friday morning, according to IQAir.
On Friday, Chicago and Minneapolis had two of the top three worst air quality indices in the world among major cities for the second day in a row, according to IQAir.
Rio Verde, Arizona has the worst air quality in the country due to wildfires in that state.
(FOX Weather)
Purple or very unhealthy air quality means that anyone could experience difficulties when being outside for any period of time.
Wildfire smoke is set to stay concentrated in the Midwest through Saturday, extending as far south as St. Louis, Missouri, the FOX Forecast Center said.
Meanwhile, a northeast wind will shield New York and New England from the worst of the smoke.
WHY YOU SHOULD AVOID REFUELING YOUR CAR OR GRILLING DURING UNHEALTHY AIR QUALITY
(FOX Weather)
In addition to reducing air quality, the smoke may decrease visibility in some areas.
Hazy sunrise at Lake Minnetonka in Excelsior, Minnesota on July 31 as Canadian wildfire smoke creates unhealthy air quality in the upper Midwest.
(FOX 9 Minneapolis / FOX 9)
Air quality in Minnesota and Wisconsin is expected to improve by Saturday.
The fires burning in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba have been ongoing all summer, and it's not the first time the smoke has pushed south into the U.S. this summer.
CANADIAN WILDFIRE SMOKE PUSHES UNHEALTHY AIR QUALITY READINGS INTO BOSTON, NORTHEAST
Wildfires rage on in Saskatchewan, Canada
Video from July 30 shows the wildfires in Canada burning through the night in Saskatchewan before daylight when smoke can be seen in the atmosphere.
Just last week, smoke from the wildfires impacted air quality in the Northeast, where air quality alerts were posted in New York City and Boston.