Improvement in air quality in B.C. following 'worst in the world' ranking
Wildfires in Canada and the U.S. have been contributing to dangerous air quality levels across British Columbia, but it will begin to improve for areas along the coast on Tuesday
Wildfires rage on across British Columbia and Washington state, briefly resulting in Vancouver having the worst air quality on the globe on Sunday. Fortunately, for some B.C. residents, the worst of the wildfire smoke is on its way out. However, the Interior valleys may see it linger for much of the work week. As well, there a non-severe storm risk will pop up Tuesday, providing beneficial rains and a chance for new fires to ignite. For more on the wildfire and air quality situation, as well as the storm risk for Tuesday, read on.
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Tuesday and beyond: Air quality and smoke will begin to improve, storm risk for some
A favourable wind direction is expected to clear most of the wildfire smoke activity beginning from the coast and eventually pushing inland through Tuesday. However, sections of the Interior valleys will continue to battle diminished air quality to close out the work week.
Wildfires burning near Manning Park (Heather Lake), B.C., in Washington State (Bolt Creek), and in Hope (Flood Falls Trail), B.C., are some of the fires producing smoke that is impacting the regions. Smoke concentrations may vary widely across the region as winds and temperatures change, and as wildfire behaviour changes.
In addition to the wildfire smoke and poor air quality, B.C. will see a thunderstorm threat creep up on Tuesday as a weak boundary may conjure up afternoon and evening storms, though should remain non-severe in nature.
The thunderstorm risk is double-edged. On one end, some beneficial rains may push through Hope to southeastern B.C. and southern Alberta's foothills. On the other, the unstable atmosphere may give rise to new lightning-induced wildfires.
Residences should be mindful and continue to stay updated with latest alerts and directions from officials.
Worst air quality in the world found in Vancouver on Sunday
The wildfire smoke had gotten so bad that Vancouver, B.C., had the worst air quality in the world for a brief time on Sunday, according to IQAir, a real-time air quality service.
Early Sunday afternoon local time saw Vancouver achieve an air quality ranking of 199, the most severe of all major cities in the world on that day. Lahore, Pakistan came in second with a ranking of 161 and Dubai, United Arab Emirates came in third with a ranking of 158.
Vancouver had a PM2.5 concentration of 148µg/m³, which is 29.6 times higher than the annual air quality guideline value outlined by the World Health Organization. PM2.5 is a component of wildfire smoke that is hazardous to human health because it can travel deep into the lungs and cause inflammation and respiratory issues.
Thumbnail is of the Battleship Mountain wildfire, courtesy of BC Wildfire Service.
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest forecast updates on B.C.