Smog Alert: Southern, Central & Parts of Northern and Eastern Ontario June 20, 2012

A smog advisory is in effect for Southern, Central, Mostly Northern & Parts of Eastern Ontario June 20, 2012.

• This advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

* A Smog Advisory means that there is a strong likelihood that there may be poor air quality within the next 24 hours due to ground-level ozone and/or particulate matter.

The Air Quality Index (AQI):

Hot, sunny conditions, combined with a southwesterly flow of polluted air from the U.S. and local build-up of pollutants are resulting in elevated smog levels across southern, central, and parts of northern and eastern Ontario.

The details of the smog forecast are as follows:

• During Wednesday:
  • A high pressure ridge over the eastern US is causing a southwesterly flow of warm and humid air over southern Ontario
  • Mostly sunny skies and hot temperatures are forecasted over most of the forecast regions with southwesterly winds, except for some cloudiness over eastern and northwestern regions
  • Air quality indices are forecasted to:
    • increase to the poor category in the smog advisory regions, due to ozone
    • be in the good to moderate categories elsewhere

• During Thursday:
  •  A cold front is forecasted to move eastward across northern Ontario during the morning, and over southern Ontario during the afternoon.
  • The forecast expecations are:
    • hot and humid conditions are forecast to continue over most regions with southwesterly winds during the morning ahead of the front
    • followed by winds veering to west to northwesterly during the afternoon
    • and increasing cloudiness is expected near the front
  • Air quality indices are forecasted to:
    • increase to the poor category in the smog advisory regions due to ozone
    • be in the good to moderate categories elsewhere

• During Friday:
  • The cold front is forecasted to be east of the province
  • And a high pressure region is forecasted to be west of the Great Lakes
  • Air quality indices are forecasted to be:
    • in the good to moderate categories in southern and eastern Ontario
    • generally in the good category elsewhere

During the smog episode, individuals may experience the following symptoms:

• eye irritation

• heavy outdoor exercise may cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath

• people with heart or lung disease including asthma may experience a worsening of their condition

Please click here for details on air quality in Ontario.

Spare the Air Actions

During a smog advisory, there are a number of actions that you can take to help spare the air.

Travel tips – all year round:

• leave your car at home – walk, cycle, carpool or take public transit

• tele-conference instead of driving to meetings

• limit car trips by doing all your errands at once, and do not let your engine idle

• keep your car well tuned, check your tire pressure and drive at moderate speeds

Health tips:

• avoid exposure to vehicle exhaust fumes

• consult your doctor for specific health advice

• wear light clothing at work while air conditioning is reduced

• avoid strenuous exercise in the heat of the day

Electricity saving tips:

• save electricity at home by setting your air conditioner temperature a few degrees higher (health permitting) and

• turning off lights you are not using

Other pollution reduction tips:

• leave lawn mowing for another day

• restrict the use of gasoline-powered equipment

• delay using oil-based paints, solvents and cleaners

Please click on the following text to:

• find out what you can do to “spare the air” in order to help combat smog

• learn what kids can do for the air we breathe

• to check out the Air Quality Index (AQI) in your area in Ontario

• get the smog forecast for three days

• join the Smog Alert Network

Please click here for more info about smog.

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