WEST MICHIGAN — A FOX 17 Weather Ready Alert is in place through today, July 19, for thick wildfire smoke in West Michigan, impacting air quality.
Wildfires have broken out in western Ontario and smoke from these has moved into West Michigan. This smoke will continue lingering in the state this weekend, resulting in unhealthy air at times. Luckily, the levels this weekend will not be as high as Thursday and Friday's air quality.
After a brief break from the smoke Saturday morning, a cold front that moved through around midday shifted winds to the northwest, driving more wildfire smoke back into our area throughout the day. Smoke continued to build in Saturday night.
The statewide AIR QUALITY ALERT was extended through Sunday. Air quality levels in West Michigan are expected to range from "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" to "Unhealthy", or AQI levels between 100-200.
While this is some improvement compared to the levels Thursday and Friday, if you are sensitive to smoke or have respiratory diseases, it's still best to remain indoors.
Winds will come from the north/northeast today as an area of high pressure moves over the state. This will trap the smoke in our area and as a result, smoke concentrations are not expected to improve all that much.
The smoke will linger but may thin out a bit on Monday thanks to a southwesterly wind, but the sky will likely still be hazy.
To check the current air quality in your neighborhood, click here or visit AirNow.gov.
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