Air quality improves after days of smoky haze across the Delaware Valley
The entire region now is in either "good" or "moderate," so there are no health concerns at this time.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Scientists continue to monitor air quality conditions across the Delaware Valley, which continue to improve.
The latest Air Quality Index in Philadelphia is 60 right on the edge of "good." It's a far cry from the 447 "hazardous" we had on Wednesday night.
The entire region now is in either "good" or "moderate," so there are no health concerns at this time.
The forecast from the Pennsylvania DEP for Saturday is to keep us in the "moderate" zone as some upper-level smoke still exits, but will not be very noticeable.
It was a picturesque day at Riverfront Park in Wilmington. What a difference a day makes. The sun is shining down, and it doesn't have to cut through a thick layer of haze.
"Getting natural sunlight vitamin D. The last few days it's been really hard to do that because the sun is getting through, but the air quality wasn't worth it to go outside," said Alex Maglio of Bear. "It's really a great difference from today and the past couple of days I'd say."
Delaware issued a red alert for air quality earlier in the morning, as experts saw a high number of potentially dangerous particulates in the air, especially for the very young, old, or those with underlying conditions.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control now says weather patterns are working in our favor.
"Today is forecasted as a red day but we've seen conditions improving throughout the day," said Angela Marconi of the DNREC.
As for this weekend, things are looking up as well, but state agencies are monitoring and will issue updates should anything change.
Experts aren't warning against outdoor play or exercise, and expect this weekend to provide some much-needed relief from the smog as well.
According to AccuWeather, we'll see partly sunny conditions with temperatures warming into the low 80s. As that low moves offshore Sunday and we get into a southwesterly flow, we'll dial up the temps even more to 90.
Both days look very well mixed so somewhat of a breeze in the afternoon and that mixing will keep humidity levels at bay.
6abc Air Quality Tracker
