Poor Air Quality in New York City: Schools Closed, Events Cancelled and Air Travel Affected

NEW YORK — The impact of poor air quality in the New York City metropolitan area continues to be felt.

Some schools are closed. Broadway, sports games and other events have been cancelled. Air travel is greatly affected. City and state run groups are handing out face masks.

A day after the city’s Air Quality Index (ICA) stayed at the “dangerous” level for hours through the afternoon and evening, Thursday morning began in “very unhealthy” territory, with a ICA level of 222 at 8 am, according to the website from the US government. AirNow, an air quality data site used by the Environmental Protection Agency, and more.

It remains to be seen if air quality levels will come anywhere near the dismal levels of Wednesday. But it is still possible.

As of 8 am, there were already air travel ramifications at at least one New York City airport. The Federal Aviation Administration issued temporary ground delays for flights from the Northeast, Ohio, and the Mid-Atlantic to LaGuardia Airport around 7:30 a.m. All flights to Newark Airport were delayed at 9:30 a.m., the FAA announced shortly thereafter.

Low visibility from smoke from the Canadian wildfires would affect air travel throughout the day, not only at LaGuardia, JFK and Newark, but also at many airports on the East Coast. The FAA warned that it could delay incoming flights to New York, Philadelphia, Charlotte and Washington, D.C.

Nearly 50 flights from LaGuardia, or 8%, were delayed Thursday as of 9:15 a.m., according to FlightAware.

Are you flying today? Check here to see which flights have been delayed at New York area airports.

As a result of the elevated levels of airborne particles, several schools in the New York area were closed through at least Thursday. While New York City public schools have scheduled days off for the rest of the week, officials in Yonkers, Elizabeth, Newark and more kept students out of classrooms for the day.

For the kids in New York City who aren’t in school today, don’t expect to entertain them at any city zoos or aquariums, as they will all be closed for the day as well. The Yankees, after postponing Wednesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, have a doubleheader at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, but again, it remains to be seen if air quality levels will allow one to occur. of those games.

If you have a pet, here’s how to keep your critters safe amid dangerous levels of air quality.

Broadway could also be off the table. The Wednesday morning performance of “Prima Facie” was canceled 10 minutes into production when star Jodie Comer “had difficulty breathing due to poor air quality in New York City.” Her understudy was expected to take care of her. Late-night performances of “Camelot” and “Hamilton” have also been postponed, with producers citing air concerns.

Libraries across the city closed for business early Wednesday, and the city announced alternate side parking rules would be lifted Thursday.

All air quality alerts from previous days are still in effect. Residents throughout the region, which stretches from the Hudson Valley to Long Island, are encouraged to take precautions and stay indoors if possible, especially if they have health concerns. City officials have said they expect the advisory to remain in effect for the next several days, but added that it is particularly difficult to forecast smoke conditions.

The city’s air quality index reached “dangerous” levels Wednesday afternoon and as of 6 pm had hit 333, according to AirNow. At that level, the site states that “everyone should stay indoors and reduce activity levels.”

New York City Health Commissioner Aswin Vasan said there was already “the worst air quality in New York City since the 1960s” this week, vowing to continue Thursday. Many have noted that they are having difficulty breathing as a result of the smoke and incredibly foggy conditions, which is why officials have recommended limiting strenuous activity for some.

It’s hard to imagine conditions were worse than Wednesday, with the smell of smoke and fire wafting over the entire city, which was lit with a somewhat apocalyptic glow. But that sepia-tinged look will continue for at least another day.

All air quality alerts from previous days are still in effect. Residents throughout the region, which stretches from the Hudson Valley to Long Island, are encouraged to take precautions and stay indoors if possible, especially if they have health concerns. City officials have said they expect the advisory to remain in effect for the next several days, but added that it is particularly difficult to forecast smoke conditions.

The city’s air quality index reached “dangerous” levels Wednesday afternoon and as of 6 pm had hit 333, according to AirNow. At that level, the site states that “everyone should stay indoors and reduce activity levels.”

New York City Health Commissioner Aswin Vasan said there was already “the worst air quality in New York City since the 1960s” this week, vowing to continue Thursday. Many have noted that they are having difficulty breathing as a result of the smoke and incredibly foggy conditions, which is why officials have recommended limiting strenuous activity for some.

Fine particles in the air are among the most harmful, according to the city site. To give you an idea of ​​how bad the air is, New York City averages 35 micrograms of fine particles per cubic meter of air every day. That number shot up to nearly 900 on Wednesday afternoon, spelling trouble not just for those with respiratory problems, but for anyone who is healthy.

New York City topped the list of top cities in the world with the worst air quality on Tuesday and Wednesday according to IQAir. Time will tell if it lasts three days in a row.

Hochul announced Wednesday that the state would hand out 1 million N95 masks at MTA stations, the Port Authority and other state sites beginning the next morning. The FDNY will also be distributing masks in all five boroughs.

Air quality is expected to remain poor Thursday as winds continue to push smoke from out-of-control wildfires into the United States. A low pressure front off the coast of Maine is keeping winds blowing from eastern Canada to New York, and that front is not expected to move for days to come, meaning smoke will continue to fill the air from the three states. .

There could be some improvements in air quality later tonight, and it will be much more noticeable and better through Saturday, but the smoke still won’t go away completely.

There could be spotty rain today, more scattered coverage expected on Friday. The weather over the weekend looks ideal, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s, and an expected wind shift will really help alleviate the air quality and smoke issues in our area, while also helping us It will warm up for Sunday.

Early Monday morning still looks like the best chance for significant rain. It also remains unstable, with rain and storms, until early next week.