Today started off looking more like a movie set than a midsummer morning in Cleveland, with hazy, smoke-filled skies, temperatures around 75°F, and visibility knocked down to about 1.5 miles as Canadian wildfire smoke slid into Northeast Ohio. An Air Quality Alert is in effect across much of the region, and officials say fine particles in the air are making conditions unhealthy for a lot of people. If you can smell smoke or you are feeling it in your chest, health officials say it is a good day to stay inside and take it easy.
What To Expect Today
The smoke should dim the sunshine and likely trim a few degrees off the afternoon high. Forecasters are calling for a high near 84°F in Cleveland with light north winds of 3 to 9 mph. Humidity will be noticeable, and inland neighborhoods could feel a bit hotter where the sun manages to punch through the haze. Tonight stays on the warm side, with lows settling in the low 70s.
Air Quality And Health Tips
An Air Quality Alert is posted for today. According to the Ohio EPA, smoke from Canadian wildfires may push readings into the "Unhealthy" category for people who are more sensitive to pollution. That group includes anyone with asthma, COPD or heart disease, along with older adults and children. Those folks are advised to skip long or strenuous outdoor activity and to consider using an N95 mask if heading outside is unavoidable. Keeping windows closed, running air conditioners on recirculate, and checking AirNow for real-time air quality readings can all help cut down on exposure.
Storms And Weekend Outlook
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to move back in late tomorrow and hang around into the weekend, with Saturday looking especially stormy. Highs should climb to around 91°F, and there is a solid chance of storms capable of heavy rain and gusty winds. The National Weather Service in Cleveland is flagging late Saturday afternoon into Saturday night as the window with the greatest risk for more organized, potentially damaging storms. Drier, cooler air is projected to slide in Sunday into early next week, although scattered storms could redevelop Monday and Tuesday.
Commute And Events
The smoky, reduced-visibility conditions may slow this morning commute and will not do any favors for lakefront views. Build in some extra travel time and think about moving outdoor plans inside if you can. Outdoor workers should avoid the heaviest smoke hours for the toughest jobs or shift into indoor, filtered-air spaces when possible. Keep an eye on local updates and check AirNow and local forecasts before deciding how much time to spend outside.
