When will Charlotte air quality return to normal? Sooner than later, says NC forecaster
Wildfires in Canada have negatively affected the air quality in North Carolina over the last several days, but relief is on the horizon.
Air quality in North Carolina has remained at levels that are considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups” for most of the week, according to Air Quality Index metrics on the air quality measuring website AirNow.
The N.C. Division of Air Quality maintained Code Orange air quality warnings statewide throughout Thursday, a downgrade from a Code Red alert issued.
That’s because the East Coast “has been experiencing a blocking pattern,” where centers of high pressure or low pressure settle over a region and prevent other weather systems from moving through, National Weather Service Forecaster Harry Gerapetritis told The Charlotte Observer.
“Because that pattern hasn’t really changed much, we’re seeing all of the smoke associated with the Canadian wildfires moving south,” Gerapetritis said.
But a strong low pressure system over the Great Lakes should help clear smoke out of the Carolinas by creating a southerly wind flow during the second half of the weekend, Gerapetritis said.
When will Charlotte air quality improve?
Air quality levels are expected to return to normal by Sunday, according to a forecast from the N.C. Division of Air Quality.
Until then, it is recommended that people with lung disease or heart disease, older adults, children, and teens choose less strenuous activities, like walking instead of running and reduce the amount of time they spend outside.
Smoke from fires can make outdoor air unhealthy to breathe, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Symptoms of smoke inhalation include coughing, shortness of breath, hoarseness, irritated eyes and headache, according to WebMD.
Anyone who experiences a hoarse voice, difficulty breathing, drawn-out coughing spells and mental confusion from smoke inhalation should seek emergency medical care.
