Tag:

Air Quality

Congestion Pricing Plan Set To Start In NYC: Here's When, Where, What It Costs Congestion Pricing Plan Set To Start In NYC: Here's When, Where, What It Costs
Congestion Pricing Plan Set To Start In NYC: Here's When, Where, What It Costs Driving into New York City and heading south of midtown Manhattan? You'll be paying for it. New York City’s congestion pricing plan, set to begin on Friday, Jan. 5, aims to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and fund crucial public transit upgrades.  Vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street will incur a toll, with rates starting at $9 per day. The Federal Highway Administration approved the program last month. However, lawsuits could potentially stop the planned rollout. The toll is aimed at reducing gridlock and enhancing traffic flow in the Central Business Distr…
Smoky Skies: Air Quality 'Unhealthy' Across Region; Here's Day-By-Day Forecast Through July 4th Smoky Skies: Air Quality 'Unhealthy' Across Region; Here's Day-By-Day Forecast Through July 4th
Smoky Skies: Air Quality 'Unhealthy' Across Region; Here's Day-By-Day Forecast Through July 4th The July 4th weekend has arrived, but chances are the smell of smoke outside isn't coming from barbeques. That's because smoke from Canadian wildfires continues its eastward movement, with poor air quality now affecting nearly the entire region and most of the Northeast. In the first image above, areas in orange are projected to have unhealthy air, and areas in yellow have moderate air on Saturday, July 1. Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 100 for the pollutant of Fine Particulates. To check air quality in your zip c…
Stamford Delays Fireworks Display Due To Smoke From Wildfires Stamford Delays Fireworks Display Due To Smoke From Wildfires
Stamford Delays Fireworks Display Due To Smoke From Wildfires Due to poor air quality and visibility conditions from continuing wildfires in Canada, the city of Stamford will postpone its Independence Day firework display. The fireworks were set to be showcased on Friday, June 30 at 6 p.m. at Cummings Beach. “We want to host the best Independence Day fireworks show possible,” said Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons. “Because of air quality concerns, as well as the fact that the visibility of tonight’s show would be compromised, we’ve decided to take advantage of our negotiated rain date and postpone the fireworks until next week.” The fireworks will now…
New Update: Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Reaches 'Unhealthy' Level Across CT New Update: Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Reaches 'Unhealthy' Level Across CT
New Update: Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Reaches 'Unhealthy' Level Across CT It's time for some to get out protective masks as smoke from Canadian wildfires is drifting over Connecticut and elevating the air quality to "unhealthy" levels. On Friday, June 30, Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) said smoke from wildfires over Quebec is expected to elevate fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels across the entire state. The red dots designate unhealthy areas.AirNow.gov When air quality is forecasted to be unhealthy, there is an increased likelihood for everyone and especially members of sensitive groups to experience health effects…
Thunderstorms Sweeping Through Region From West To East: Here's Latest Thunderstorms Sweeping Through Region From West To East: Here's Latest
Thunderstorms Sweeping Through Region From West To East: Here's Latest A new round of thunderstorms is sweeping through the region from west to east. Storms developed in the mid-afternoon on Wednesday, June 28, with activity scattered across the region. (See radar image above.)  The storms, some of which are severe, are accompanied by heavy, brief downpours, rumbles of thunder, and lightning strikes. Storms could pop up at times through the afternoon and into the early evening Wednesday before an unsettled weather pattern finally comes to a close, according to the National Weather Service. Drier and warmer weather is expected Thursday, June 29, and Frid…
Air Quality To Worsen In Coming Days: Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area Air Quality To Worsen In Coming Days: Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area
Air Quality To Worsen In Coming Days: Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area Hazy skies and poor air quality due to wildfire smoke are heading toward the region from west to east. Areas of western and central New York are expected to experience unhealthy air quality on Wednesday, June 28 with moderate air quality in eastern New York and parts of New England. Areas in red in the image above from AirNow.gov are projected to have very unhealthy air quality, with orange indicating unhealthy air, and yellow moderate. Wednesday will be mostly cloudy with a high temperature in the upper 70s. There will be a new chance for showers and thunderstorms from around midday until…
Storm Watch: System With Gusty Winds Could Include Hail As Poor Air Quality Improves Storm Watch: System With Gusty Winds Could Include Hail As Poor Air Quality Improves
Storm Watch: System With Gusty Winds Could Include Hail As Poor Air Quality Improves An upper-level low-pressure system will bring isolated to scattered thunderstorms across the region, some of which could be severe. A few storms may bring heavy rain, gusty winds, and small hail a half-inch or less in diameter, according to the National Weather Service. The time frame for storm activity is from around midday until late in the evening on Friday, June 9. Poor air quality conditions that have lingered for much of the week due to smoke from Canadian wildfires will steadily improve during the afternoon on Friday, which will see a high temperature of around 70 degrees. Saturday…
Unhealthy Air: Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area Caused By Canadian Wildfires' Smoke Unhealthy Air: Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area Caused By Canadian Wildfires' Smoke
Unhealthy Air: Here's How To Check Conditions In Your Area Caused By Canadian Wildfires' Smoke Widespread smoke from Canadian wildfires continue to bring hazardous air quality levels across the region. Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 100 for the pollutant of fine particulates again on Thursday, June 8, according to the National Weather Service.   "The higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern," said the weather service. The check air quality conditions in your area, visit AirNow.gov by clicking here. More than 8 million acres of land has already burned in what already is Canada…
Canadian Fires: Air Quality 'Unhealthy' Across State, DEEP Warns Of Health Hazards Canadian Fires: Air Quality 'Unhealthy' Across State, DEEP Warns Of Health Hazards
Canadian Fires: Air Quality 'Unhealthy' Across State, Deep Warns Of Health Hazards Connecticut officials have issued a new warn for residents to expect heavy smoke conditions as wildfires continue to burn in Canada. Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) officials said the levels for Wednesday, June 7 have exceeded "unhealthy" for the entire state. That's especially worrisome for small children, people suffering from respiratory problems and the elderly, DEEP said.  Earlier report - Air Quality Alert: Widespread Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Lingers Throughout Region "When air quality is forecasted to be unhealthy, there is an increased …
Here's What New Sweeping CT Emissions-Reduction Law Means To You Here's What New Sweeping CT Emissions-Reduction Law Means To You
Here's What New Sweeping CT Emissions-Reduction Law Means To You Connecticut is joining many of its neighboring states in adopting new emissions standards for medium and heavy-duty vehicles to improve air quality across the state. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced that state lawmakers approved legislation that would see the state adopt California’s emissions standards, similar to neighboring Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey. According to Lamont, the new standards “will ensure that manufacturers are producing cleaner vehicles and offering them for sale in Connecticut, giving prospective consumers more options while reducing a major source of in…
CT Residents Asked To Limit Outdoor Activities Due To Particles In Air From Western Wildfires CT Residents Asked To Limit Outdoor Activities Due To Particles In Air From Western Wildfires
CT Residents Asked To Limit Outdoor Activities Due To Particles In Air From Western Wildfires The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is alerting residents, as air particles from the Western wildfires could cause unhealthy conditions in the state. The department issued the alert on Tuesday, July 27, for all Connecticut counties except Litchfield County. Residents are asked to limit outdoor activities until 11 on Tuesday night. Officials said a smoke plume from the wildfires passed over the state produced unhealthy fine particle levels on Monday, July 26. The particles have been slow to disperse in the area. The department is asking those with heart or lung…
Hazy Skies Caused By Wildfires Clear Up in Northeast Hazy Skies Caused By Wildfires Clear Up in Northeast
Hazy Skies Caused By Wildfires Clear Up in Northeast After smoke from wildfires caused days of hazy skies and poor air quality in the Northeast, a cold front has brought some relief.  AccuWeather meteorologists reported that smoke from wildfires in Canada and the Pacific Northwest traveled 1,000 miles in the past week, causing air quality advisories in the region, including New York City and Philadelphia.  "Due to the fact that smoke particles are small and light, they can be transported hundreds if not a few thousand miles away from their source," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva said. A cold front that traveled southward fr…
Strong Storms With Damaging Winds, Lightning Could Cause Power Outages In Region Strong Storms With Damaging Winds, Lightning Could Cause Power Outages In Region
Strong Storms With Damaging Winds, Lightning Could Cause Power Outages In Region A slow-moving cold front will be accompanied by a round of strong to severe thunderstorms that could cause scattered power outages in the region, while also bringing about an end to the heatwave. The time frame for storm activity on Wednesday, June 30 is from the afternoon into the evening.  Storms will be accompanied by damaging wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour, frequent lightning, locally heavy downpours, and flash flooding. Isolated tornadoes are possible. The storms could cause tree limbs to snap and topple trees onto power lines, causing outages. It will be hazy, hot, and h…
Real 'Unofficial Start Of Summer': Here's How Much Warmer It Is Than Over Memorial Day Weekend Real 'Unofficial Start Of Summer': Here's How Much Warmer It Is Than Over Memorial Day Weekend
Real 'Unofficial Start Of Summer': Here's How Much Warmer It Is Than Over Memorial Day Weekend Memorial Day weekend is known as the unofficial start of summer. But that couldn't have been further from the case this year with high temperatures averaging about 20 degrees below normal last weekend. Now, on the first weekend of June, parts of the region, especially farther inland, are on the brink of the first heatwave of 2021. (See the first image above.) A heatwave is defined as three or more straight days with a high temperature of 90 degrees or more. Some spots could see record warmth for this time of year on Sunday, June 6, which will be sunny, with a high temperature in the upper …
Mold Contamination Causes Weeklong Closure Of Stamford School Mold Contamination Causes Weeklong Closure Of Stamford School
Mold Contamination Causes Weeklong Closure Of Stamford School A Stamford elementary school will be closed for a week to give crews time to remove mold from the building. The Stamford Board of Education announced on Tuesday that due to elevated mold levels, based on preliminary air quality test results that were reported earlier in the day, the Westover Elementary School will be closed for remediation until Tuesday, Nov. 6. In a statement, the Board of Education said that “The district is working closely with the Boys and Girls Club to provide childcare for those families who do not have the option of keeping their children at home during the day.” S…
Hot Stuff: Poor Air Quality Sunday, Real-Feel Temp Around 100 Monday Hot Stuff: Poor Air Quality Sunday, Real-Feel Temp Around 100 Monday
Hot Stuff: Poor Air Quality Sunday, Real-Feel Temp Around 100 Monday One Early Dismissal Announced As Schools Prepare For Monday's Extreme Heat The week has started with the hottest weather of the year. The heat index -- a combination of the actual temperature and humidity -- will be in the mid-90s on Father's Day and around the 100-degree mark on Monday when record-breaking temps are possible. School districts in the area are planning ahead, and one has already announced an early dismissal for Monday. For more on that, click here. Air Quality Alerts are in effect Sunday around the region. Consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the…