Maps and satellite images show smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketing parts of the United States in unhealthy air

Smoke from Canadian wildfires has caused a decline Air quality In the central and northeastern United States this week – as seen in maps and satellite images showing the widespread impact of the fires.

Winds continued to bring smoke from the fires into the U.S. on Saturday, causing “moderate” to “unhealthy” air quality across the U.S. Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Ohio Valley and Midwest, the National Weather Service said. However, for many areas, it was a marked improvement from earlier in the week when they were shrouded in a dangerous orange haze, leading to flight disruptions and even… School cancellation.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison said there was a “widespread improvement” in air quality overnight Thursday into Friday, as dense wildfire smoke drifted into the Atlantic Ocean.

Further improvement is expected over the weekend as the low pressure system relaxes and shifts “to a more westerly direction on Saturday,” the weather service said. Weather Channel meteorologist Stephanie Abrams also said relief is on the way, but hazy skies and low visibility will still be visible in the Northeast and Great Lakes on Friday.

“This type of pollution is very harmful because the smoke particles are small, about 30 times smaller than a strand of human hair, so they can get into your body and cause serious health problems,” Abrams said.

“Fortunately, this weekend and early next week, a system will come in that will give us more southerly flow, directing the smoke away from the United States,” she said.

Maps showed that skies were clear over parts of New York City and New York State on Friday. However, the health warning remained in effect until midnight. CBS News New York reported. Classes were held remotely on Friday in city schools.

New York officials said Friday’s air quality was expected to be “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” according to the Air Quality Index for the Long Island, New York City metro and Western New York areas. By Saturday morning, the air quality index was showing a “good” level.

Several maps showed states to the west and south, such as Pennsylvania and Delaware, seeing worse impacts, although the weather service indicated they would not be as “severe” as in recent days. Most of Pennsylvania and Delaware reported “moderate” conditions Saturday morning, according to the Air Quality Index, though air quality in Pennsylvania’s Liberty-Clairton area was described as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

Over the past six weeks, Hundreds of out-of-control wildfires have spread across CanadaCausing mass evacuations and the burning of millions of acres. While Canada’s wildfire season runs from May to October, such devastation this early in the season is rare. One month later, Canada is on track to have the most destructive wildfire season in history. Extreme temperatures and drought have led to climate change I created a torch box.

The National Weather Service has advised people in the United States to monitor local air quality forecasts before spending time outside.

“Poor air quality can be dangerous,” NWS chirp Earlier this week. “Before spending time outside, check the air quality forecast. Make sure you’re not doing yourself more harm than good.”

Kara Corti contributed to this article.