Air Quality Alert Issued Due to Particles Released from Melting Snow

Air high quality warning issued as a consequence of particles launched from melting snow

(SEMCOG, February 15, 2026)

Michigan – SEMCOG, the Council of Governments of Southeast Michigan, declares the primary air high quality advisory of 2026 for Southeast Michigan. The Michigan Division of Surroundings, Nice Lakes, and Power (EGLE) issued the advisory as a consequence of elevated ranges of wonderful particulate matter (PM2.5).

In keeping with EGLE recommendation, wonderful particle concentrations are anticipated to be largely within the Unhealthy for Delicate Teams (USG, Orange AQI) vary till Monday, February 16 at midday.

“Floor temperatures reaching 50 levels Celsius have accelerated snowmelt, releasing particles into the ambiance,” stated Alec Kownacki, meteorologist, Air High quality Division, EGLE. “Particles get trapped within the snow because it falls, and when that snow melts, those self same particles are launched into the air. Mix warming temperatures with gentle winds by way of right now, Sunday, and PM-2.5 concentrations are anticipated to be within the unhealthy vary for delicate teams as a consequence of an absence of atmospheric dispersion. To be clear, this advisory will not be as a consequence of wildfire smoke, however to natural compounds and different pollution trapped in snowfall that, because it melts, are launched into the air. air launch,” says Kownacki. stated.

Further pointers from EGLE:

If potential, keep away from strenuous outside actions, particularly these related to coronary heart illness and respiratory situations comparable to bronchial asthma.

Verify for signs comparable to wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or a burning sensation within the nostril, throat, and eyes.

Cut back or eradicate actions that contribute to air air pollution, comparable to:

Burning exterior

Use of family wooden burning home equipment

Air high quality is a key metric recognized in SEMCOG plans and applications for creating fascinating communities, defending public well being, and sustaining a optimistic regional picture for Southeast Michigan. In partnership with the Michigan Division of Surroundings, Nice Lakes, and Power (EGLE), SEMCOG is now implementing a two-tiered system of air high quality advisories and air high quality alerts. This new system is predicated on the EPA’s American Air High quality Index (AQI).

The AQI is a scale from 0 to 500 that signifies air air pollution ranges. Larger values ​​imply increased air pollution and extra well being dangers. When the AQI exceeds 100, it’s unhealthy, beginning in delicate teams and worsening because it will increase. There are six classes, every with a shade, to simply measure the extent of well being issues in communities.

Study extra about air high quality advisories and warnings

Air High quality Advisory: Issued when ground-level ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5), or each are anticipated to succeed in or exceed the Unhealthy for Delicate Teams (USG) threshold. These thought of on the ‘USG’ threshold embrace individuals with lung illness (comparable to bronchial asthma), kids, older adults, people who find themselves energetic open air (together with outside staff), individuals with sure genetic variants, and folks on diets restricted in sure vitamins ought to cut back extended or strenuous outside train. That is meant to lift consciousness of poor air high quality, encourage individuals to restrict actions that contribute to poor air high quality, and warn those that are notably delicate to poor air high quality.

Air High quality Alert: Issued when ozone, PM2.5 or each are anticipated to succeed in or exceed the unhealthy threshold, or worse. This warning indicators a higher concern as a result of poor air high quality can have an effect on anybody, not simply delicate teams.

Extra data: https://www.semcog.org/about-semcog/what-you-can-do/to-keep-the-air-clean/

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