“Worst I’ve Ever Seen It”: New Yorkers Wake Up To Massive Smoke Plume

In early May, wildfires in Western Canada, located thousands of miles away, blanketed the Northeast with smoke. Now the smoke has made its way back to New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, this time originating from wildfires burning across Ontario and Quebec.

Here’s the progression of the smoke plume from Canada pouring into the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast. 

Smoke from Canadian wildfires will return to the skies of NYC this afternoon, and could be particularly noticeable around sunset. It will likely stick around through at least Tuesday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/UooX1NOwTx

— New York Metro Weather (@nymetrowx) June 5, 2023

New Yorkers woke up Tuesday morning to hazy skies. 

The wildfire smoke is so bad this morning in New York City you cannot see the sunrise. At all. Probably the worst I’ve ever seen it. pic.twitter.com/gRgRvKRluV

— Nicholas Isabella (@NycStormChaser) June 6, 2023

New York City covered in thick smoke from the Quebec wildfires this morning! The current Air Quality Index for the city is 158, which is in the “unhealthy” category. #NYwx pic.twitter.com/6d2usZJQLa

— Collin Gross (@CollinGrossWx) June 6, 2023

Wildfires burning in Canada are sending smoke into the skies across the northeast. On the left is New York City yesterday afternoon and on the right is the skyline this morning. pic.twitter.com/NP2l7z0Fvh

— Drew Tuma (@DrewTumaABC7) June 6, 2023

Accuweather warned, “The air quality in New York City is currently at an unhealthy level as smoke from wildfires in Canada continues to spread into the Northeast.” 

The air quality in New York City is currently at an unhealthy level as smoke from wildfires in Canada continues to spread into the Northeast: https://t.co/fjuCNM3ld0 pic.twitter.com/ic0P6Ivdyp

— Breaking Weather by AccuWeather (@breakingweather) June 6, 2023

Air quality tracking website AirNow said air quality alerts have also been posted across New York, New England, throughout the Great Lakes, and as far south as Maryland. 

Over 100 wildfires are active in Northwestern Quebec and dozens of others in Ontario. Winds are carrying the smoke down into the Northeast. The dry conditions in Canada, potentially due to an emerging El Nino, may be why the region is experiencing an increase in wildfires this spring.