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The vast majority of flight delays and cancellations are weather related. Conditions like precipitation, wind, and fog greatly affect how safe and enjoyable flying can be. If your current location or your intended destination is experiencing bad weather, be sure to check with your airline for any delays or cancellations before heading to the airport.

• Check with your airline to be aware of any flight delays or cancellations
• Flying earlier in the day can help avoid any cascading delays from earlier flights
• Give yourself enough time between connecting flights in case of a weather delay on your first flight

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NYC snow storm: Flight status, travel advisories for today

Snow storm begins in nyc.

FOX 5 NY's Mike Woods shows us where the storm is headed as NYC braces for heavy snow.

NEW YORK - A major snow storm is pummeling the NYC area , making for a messy morning commute and leading to widespread flight cancelations.

As of 9:30 a.m., 43% of flights in and out of LaGuardia Airport were canceled, according to Flight Aware . At Newark, 26% of flights were canceled, and at JFK, 18% of flights were canceled.

JUMP TO: ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING l FLIGHT STATUS l MTA SCHEDULE | SCHOOL CLOSINGS

New York City has issued a travel advisory through Tuesday, and officials are urging New Yorkers to stay off the roads.

"If you do not have to be on the roads tomorrow, please stay home, and, if you’re a property owner, remember to clear your sidewalks," NYC Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement.

MORE: How much snow has to fall for the subway to shut down?

Here's everything you need to know about traveling during the snow storm Tuesday.

Flight Status

Check the status of each airport below:

LaGuardia Airport status 

• Flights canceled: 226 (43%)
• Flights delayed: 39 (7%)
• For more information from the FAA, click HERE .

Newark Airport status

• Flights canceled: 142 (26%)
• Flights delayed: 36 (6%)

JFK Airport status

• Flights canceled: 104 (18%)
• Flights delayed: 57 (9%)

Will NYC alternate side parking be in effect?

New York City alternate side parking will be suspended Tuesday due to "winter storm operations," according to the NYC Mayor's Office .

Meanwhile, parking meters will remain in effect.

For updates, click HERE .

MTA snow storm prep, delays

Mta update on winter storm preparations.

MTA officials provided an update on winter storm preparations for Tuesday.

The MTA announced normal service on bus, subways and the Long Island Railroad for Tuesday, but a slightly modified schedule for Metro-North.

Track road closures

Ny roads closed.

• Click HERE to track road closures in real time on 511NY.

NJ roads closed

• Click HERE to track road closures in real time on 511NJ.

CT roads closed

• Click HERE to track road closures in real time on CTroads .

NYC Severe Weather

• Get forecast updates from the National Weather Service.
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NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLACES NEW YORK CITY UNDER A TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY  

April 2, 2024   — The New York City Emergency Management Department (NYCEM) today issued a Travel Advisory for Wednesday, April 3, to Thursday, April 4 for inclement weather forecasted for the city, including an additional 2 to 3 inches of rain expected between now and Thursday, becoming locally heavy at times, mainly Wednesday afternoon to Wednesday evening, causing minor flooding of poor drainage and low-lying areas. Flash flooding is not currently forecast, but localized areas of flash flooding cannot be ruled out. There is also expected to be minor coastal flooding and high winds. New Yorkers are urged to remain updated with real-time verified emergency weather alerts through Notify NYC ( nyc.gov/notify ) and to expect travel delays and disruptions.

The National Weather Service issued a Coastal Flood Warning for Queens South from 3AM to 7AM Wednesday, April 3 and Queens North and the Bronx from 4PM Wednesday, April 3 until 10AM Thursday, April 4 for inundation of 1.5-2.5ft above ground level. The NWS also issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island from 2PM Wednesday, April 3 until to 7AM Thursday, April 4. A Coastal Flood Advisory has been issued for Queens South between 2-7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 3, for inundation of 1 foot above ground level and for 3-7 AM on Thursday, April 4 for inundation of 2 feet above ground level. 

The National Weather Service has also issued a High Wind Watch citywide from 11:00 AM on Wednesday until 5:00 AM Thursday for 25-35 mph winds and gusts of up to 60 mph possible. New Yorkers are urged to exercise caution when walking, biking, or driving and secure any loose objects from their properties. NWS alerts, advisories, and warnings, and statements are subject to change. For the latest visit   weather.gov/nyc . The MTA has prohibited empty tractor-trailers and tandem trailers on all MTA bridges beginning 10AM on Wednesday due to expected high winds.

NYCEM is collaborating with the National Weather Service and monitoring the latest forecasts. To ensure real-time awareness and a coordinated response, NYCEM is organizing specialized interagency briefings to keep essential stakeholders well-informed of emerging risks, and reinforcing its readiness for scaled-up emergency responses should conditions warrant. Critical assets and specialized units are on standby prepared for activation as conditions necessitate. Roads, parking lots, and properties in low-lying areas near the shoreline could potentially experience minor flooding. 

NYCEM recommends the following preparedness actions for New Yorkers:

• Communication and Information: Before and during an emergency, the City will send emergency alerts through various channels, including Notify NYC, available in 13 different languages, with a special sub-group dedicated to Basement Apartment Dwellers. Register at   NYC.gov/NotifyNYC   or dial 311. Keep a battery-powered radio ready for timely updates, particularly if power outages are expected. 
• Gather Supplies: Every household member should have a Go Bag packed with essential items, such as bottled water, non-perishable food, and basic medical supplies. 
• Tidal Awareness and Coastal Barriers: Monitor tide tables and storm surge forecasts. Know when high tides are expected in your vicinity and be prepared to adjust your plans. Where feasible, deploy sandbags or other deployables suitable for a residence to reduce the risk of tidal water intrusion. 
• Watercraft and Boat Security: If you own boats or watercraft, secure or relocate them immediately. Fluctuating tides can not only carry them away but loose watercraft can cause additional damage. 
• Storm Drains and Local Warnings: Regularly check and clear any nearby storm drains to help manage water runoff and lessen the chances of localized flooding. Pay attention to localized warnings, especially those pertaining to rip currents and high waves. 
• Beach Closures and Coastal Roads: Remain updated on any beach closures, as flooding can swiftly make these areas hazardous. Beaches are closed to swimming. Plan alternative travel routes to avoid low-lying coastal roads that may be susceptible to flooding. 
• Home Safety and Utility Measures: Ensure your home's sump pumps are operational and familiarize yourself with how to safely shut off utilities like gas, water, and electricity. If you reside in a basement or below-grade apartment, be particularly vigilant, as these areas are more susceptible to flooding. Follow City guidance for additional actions specific to below-grade dwellings. Subscribe to Notify NYC’s Basement Apartment Dweller subgroup for key alerts. 
• Document & Insurance Review: Secure essential documents in waterproof containers and maintain digital backups. Review your insurance to ensure you have specialized flood coverage, as standard policies often don't cover flood and wind damage. Consider enrolling in the National Flood Insurance Program. Learn more at   www.floodsmart.gov . 
• Prepare for Outages: To gear up for potential power disruptions, keep your cell phones charged, stock up on supplies. If power outages are predicted, consider adjusting your refrigerator and freezer to colder settings to extend the shelf life of perishable items. Ensure that flashlights and battery-operated radios or TVs are functional, keeping extra batteries on hand. If you rely on Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) and lose power, dial 911 for immediate assistance, and remember never to use generators indoors. Check on vulnerable individuals in your community, such as older adults and people with disabilities or health conditions, and assist them in their preparations.
• Pet Safety: Make provisions for your pets' safety, including the need to leave your home and to take your pet with you.
• Plan for Special Needs & Check on Your Neighbors: Make it a point to check on neighbors who are older adults or who may require special assistance. If you have a disability or specific access and functional needs, make sure your emergency plan accounts for how these factors could impact your ability to respond quickly and communicate effectively during a crisis. Seek assistance from your family or service providers as needed. 
• Avoidance and Caution: Do not venture into flooded areas. These zones may be contaminated or electrically charged. Take preemptive action by assembling a Go Bag with essentials like food, water, and first-aid supplies. 
• Documentation: When it's safe, contribute to our collective flood risk understanding by capturing and submitting photos via the MyCoast portal ( https://mycoast.org/ny ) or the MyCoast app. Don't forget to also file flood reports through 311. 
• Real-Time Awareness: Stay updated on changing flood conditions by monitoring real-time flood depth via the FloodNet website ( https://www.floodnet.nyc/ ). 

NYCEM will continue to provide New Yorkers with the most current information and guidelines as conditions develop.

For more safety tips, visit  NYC.gov/SevereWeather.   Before and during an emergency, the City will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels including Notify NYC, the City's free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can receive phone calls, text messages, and/or emails alerts about traffic and transit disruptions and other emergencies. Sign up for Notify NYC to receive free emergency alerts and updates in your preferred language by visiting   NYC.gov/NotifyNYC , calling 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115), following   @NotifyNYC   on Twitter, or getting the free Notify NYC mobile application for your Apple or Android device. 

9/29 Event Disaster Loan Assistance Update 

Eligible New York City residents and businesses  in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island  affected by the significant flash flooding event on September 29, 2023, may now apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. These loans are made available for those whose homes and/or businesses were damaged due to flooding. The filing deadline to submit applications  is February 2, 2024 for physical damage, and September 4, 2024 for economic injury .

To learn more about eligibility and apply, visit  on.nyc.gov/flashfloodrecovery.

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NYC Hazards

NYC air quality levels close schools, zoos, Broadway shows; Brace for big airport delays

Worsening air quality has led to the cancellation of a bunch of outdoor activities, as well as closed schools, zoos, aquariums, sporting events and even some broadway shows. and expect air travel headaches as well, by tom shea and brian price • published june 8, 2023 • updated on june 9, 2023 at 1:54 am.

Some schools are closed. Broadway, sports and other events have been canceled. Air travel is heavily impacted. City- and state-run groups are handing out facemasks.

It may sound like a COVID flashback, but all are happening across the New York City area once again as a result of the dangerous air quality from the wildfire smoke.

A day after the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) stayed in the "hazardous" level for hours throughout the afternoon and evening, Thursday morning started out in the "very unhealthy" territory, with an AQI level of 222 as of 8 a.m., according to U.S. government online platform AirNow, an air quality data site used by the Environmental Protection Agency and more.

24/7 New York news stream: Watch NBC 4 free wherever you are

It was not known if the AQI levels would be as bad, or even worse, on Thursday. But fortunately, they seemed to improve throughout the afternoon, with air quality levels at 173 as of 3 p.m. — which brought the city back down to "unhealthy" levels rather than "hazardous" or "very unhealthy."

There were also early fears that air travel could be ground to a halt by the smoke levels. But despite temporary ground delays early in the morning, delays for NYC-area airports never reached disastrous levels. During the afternoon, Newark and LaGuardia had delays of less than an hour; JFK Airport had no delays.

Get Tri-state area news and weather forecasts to your inbox. Sign up for NBC New York newsletters.

Are you flying today? Check here to see what flights have been delayed at NYC area airports.

As a result of the elevated levels, several schools in the NYC area were closed at least through Thursday. While NYC elementary and middle school students have scheduled days off for the rest of the week (high school students will have remote learning on Friday), officials in Yonkers, Elizabeth, Newark and more kept students out of classrooms for the day.

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For the NYC kids who aren't in school today, don't expect to entertain them at any city zoos or aquariums, as all will remain closed for the day as well. The Yankees, after postponing Wednesday's game against the Chicago White Sox, have a doubleheader at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

If you have pet, here's how to keep your critters safe amid the dangerous air quality levels .

Broadway appeared likely to return. Wednesday's matinee performance of "Prima Facie" was canceled 10 minutes into the production when star Jodie Comer "had difficulty breathing due to poor air quality in New York City." Her understudy was expected to take over. Evening performances of "Camelot" and "Hamilton" were also postponed, with producers citing air concerns.

It was not to be at Central Park’s outdoor stage, either. Shakespeare in the Park canceled its Thursday and Friday performances of “Hamlet,” saying ’tis not nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of wretched air.

Libraries across the city closed operations early on Wednesday, and the city announced alternate side parking rules would be suspended on Thursday.

All air quality alerts from previous days remain in effect. Residents throughout the region, stretching from the Hudson Valley to Long Island, are encouraged to take precautions and stay indoors if possible, especially if they have health problems. City officials have said they expect the advisory to remain in place for the next few days but added it's particularly difficult to forecast smoke conditions.

The city's Air Quality Index reached "hazardous" levels Wednesday afternoon, and by 6 p.m. had reached 333, according to AirNow. At that level, the site states " everyone should stay indoors and reduce activity levels."

New York City Health Commissioner Aswin Vasan said there was "the worst air quality in New York City since the 1960s" already this week, and that promised to continue Thursday. Many have noticed having difficulty breathing as a result of the smoke and incredibly hazy conditions, which is why officials have encouraged limiting strenuous activity for some.

Vasan extended guidance recommending new Yorkers avoid outdoor events and activity through Friday night.

It's hard to imagine conditions being worse than they were on Wednesday, with the smell of smoke and fire permeating throughout the city — which was illuminated in a somewhat apocalyptic glow. The sepia-tinted look didn't return to the city on Thursday. though there was a noticeable haze that limited visibility.

Check out this almost unbelievable time-lapse of wildfire smoke consuming the World Trade Center and the New York City skyline. Those vulnerable to poor air quality, including seniors and young children, should limit time outdoors if possible. More: https://t.co/ChRuWv7X6E pic.twitter.com/mtKtLun8lN — NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) June 7, 2023

The fine particles in the air are among the most harmful, according to the city's site . To give an idea of just how bad the air is out there, NYC on average sits at 35 micrograms of fine particles per cubic meter of air every day. That number skyrocketed to nearly 900 Wednesday afternoon, which spells trouble not only for those with breathing issues, but also anyone who is otherwise healthy.

New York City ranked top of the list of the world's major cities with the poorest air quality on Tuesday and Wednesday according to IQAir . Time will tell if it makes it three days in a row.

Hochul announced Wednesday that the state would be handing out 1 million N95 masks at MTA stations, the Port Authority, and other state sites. The FDNY will be handing out masks throughout the five boroughs as well.

Tomorrow morning, one million N95 masks will be made available at state facilities. 400,000 will be distributed to New Yorkers at @MTA stations, @PABusTerminal , @NYStateParks & @Javitscenter . 600,000 will be available from @NYSDHSES stockpiles for local governments to pick up. — Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) June 7, 2023

Air quality is expected to remain poor Friday as winds continue pushing smoke from out-of-control wildfires into the United States. A low-pressure front off the coast of Maine is keeping winds sweeping down from eastern Canada right into NYC, and that front isn't expected to move in the next few days — meaning smoke will continue to fill the air of the tri-state.

There could be some improvements in air quality later Thursday night, and conditions will be noticeably better into Saturday — but the smoke still won't be gone entirely.

Check the latest weather alerts for your neighborhood here.

There could be a spotty shower today, more scattered coverage expected Friday. The weekend weather looks ideal, with temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s, and an expected wind shift will be what really helps ease the air quality and smoke issues in our area while at the same time warming us up into Sunday.

Early Monday continues to look like the better chance for meaningful rainfall. It also stays unsettled, with showers and storms, into early next week.

This article tagged under:

More than 1,000 flights canceled as severe weather slams the East Coast, while Texas faces possibly record-breaking heat

Millions across the country are waking up to more severe weather Tuesday, with more than 1,000 flights in and out of the East Coast canceled overnight after thunderstorms struck the region and a deadly heat wave smothered the South.

More than 1,100 flights in, to and out of the United States were canceled as of Tuesday afternoon, with almost 280 of those going to and out of Newark Liberty International Airport, according to the online tracker FlightAware .

LaGuardia Airport had more than 230 cancellations, while John F. Kennedy International Airport had more than 90 and Boston Logan International Airport had more than 110.

Newark, LaGuardia and JFK all warned on Twitter that weather conditions were causing flight disruptions, delays and cancellations as they warned travelers to allow extra time and contact their airlines for updates.

The National Weather Service warned that widespread clusters of showers and thunderstorms would hang over the region into the early hours of Tuesday, with another front expected to bring more severe weather.

‘It’s definitely an adventure’

For Toya Stewart Downey and her family, the severe weather has caused major disruption, turning what was meant to be a direct flight from New York to Minneapolis into a potentially dayslong journey.

Stewart Downey, 57, and her two children, Cameron, 24, and Dallas, who will soon turn 16, had been in New York to celebrate the upcoming birthday. When they arrived at LaGuardia around 4 p.m. ET for their 6:30 p.m. flight back to Minneapolis, they noticed a string of flights being canceled due to severe weather, but they held out hope their own journey would not be affected.

After hours of waiting, they learned their own flight had been delayed and then canceled due to severe weather, with the next flight available not until Thursday.

"We said we'll take any flight to any city," Stewart Downey, a communications director for a school district in Minnesota, said in a phone interview.

She said she and her family ended up having to take a Lyft, which she said Delta Air Lines paid for, all the way to Hartford, Connecticut, a nearly 2-hour drive, in hopes of catching a flight to Detroit and then, finally, to Minneapolis.

The journey could result in the family not arriving at their destination until Wednesday, she said.

“We sincerely apologize to our customers for the inconvenience to their travel plans as weather and air traffic control challenges have impacted our operations," a Delta spokesperson said. "We are working to get them quickly and safely to their destination and encourage them to use the Fly Delta app for the latest updates to their flights.” 

The family had commitments at home in Minneapolis, Stewart Downey said, adding: "We all want to get back as soon as possible."

“It’s definitely an adventure,” Cameron said of the unexpected journey to get to home.

She said that after spending almost 9 hours at LaGuardia, and then having to take a Lyft in the early hours of Tuesday, her family was "tired, but I think there's enough to do and figure out that it's not hard to stay awake either."

Had they waited for the Thursday flight, she said, it would have "kind of felt outlandish that suddenly, I would have to be in New York for an entire week."

More severe weather on the way

More severe weather is expected in the area, with the weather service warning that a front extending from parts of the Great Lakes/mid-Atlantic to the Southeast and then to the southern Plains was also moving toward the East Coast.

The associated front was expected to bring showers and moderate to severe thunderstorms over parts of New York state, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and North Carolina, with a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Northeast/mid-Atlantic through Wednesday morning, the weather service said in a later update.

“The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a minimal threat of tornadoes,” it said.

Already, photos and videos shared on social media appeared to show hail storms in areas in Pennsylvania and North Carolina on Monday.

Meanwhile, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned Monday that “severe weather is expected across the state this week, bringing with it persistent rain, thunderstorms and the potential to cause flash flooding.”

“Our state agencies are preparing emergency response assets and we are in close contact with local governments across the state to ensure they are prepared,” she said. “I encourage all New Yorkers to monitor their local weather forecasts, pay attention to alerts and plan accordingly.”

Along the western end of the front moving eastward, showers and severe thunderstorms were expected to develop over parts of southern Kansas, Oklahoma, extreme southwestern Missouri and northwestern Arkansas, the weather service said, adding that an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms was in place for parts of the central and southern Plains through Wednesday morning.

"The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes," along with the threat of "two-inch or greater hail," it said.

Showers and severe thunderstorms were separately expected over parts of South Dakota and Nebraska.

Potentially record-breaking heat in Texas

As many braced for stormy conditions, residents of Texas and neighboring states continue to face severe heat, which turned deadly after two people died hiking in Big Bend National Park .

Excessive heat warnings with triple digit heat indices were expected to continue Tuesday, bringing potentially record-breaking temperatures, the weather service warned.

"The stagnant upper-level ridge over the south-central U.S. and resultant multi-week heatwave will not only continue but begin to expand in reach over the next couple of days as the ridge builds northeastward," the weather service said in an online update.

"Highs from southeastern Arizona through southern New Mexico and into Texas will remain in the 100s Tuesday, with upper 90s to 100s spreading northward into the Central Plains and Middle/Lower Missouri Valley as well as east into the Lower Mississippi Valley Wednesday," it said.

Some daily record-tying or even potentially record-breaking highs were "once again possible for portions of Texas and the Lower Mississippi Valley. "

Recovery after deadly storm

The death toll from severe weather across the country also continues to mount, with at least three people killed after a storm front wreaked havoc Sunday in the Midwest and the South.

One person was killed when a tornado felled a house in Martin County, Indiana, according to officials, with Cameron Wolf, director of Martin County Emergency Management, confirming the death and saying the victim’s injured partner was airlifted to a hospital.

In Arkansas, two people were also killed when a tree fell on a home in Carlisle, The Associated Press  reported . A third person was also injured in the incident, according to the outlet.

Elsewhere, more homes were damaged, roadways were blocked by tree limbs and debris, and large hail was reported as the same storm front moved through south and central Indiana and adjacent states.

Chantal Da Silva reports on world news for NBC News Digital and is based in London.

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Breaking news, nyc storms wreak havoc on travel with hundreds of flight cancellations, delays.

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It’s starting to look like a bummer of a summer.

Thousands of would-be travelers were grounded Tuesday morning as New York City-area airports canceled and delayed more than a hundred flights due to storms plaguing the region.

As of early Tuesday, Newark Liberty International Airport alone had nixed 136 departing flights and delayed 14 more, FlightAware showed .

More than 180 flights scheduled to land at Newark were also canceled, the tracker indicated.

In addition, LaGuardia Airport canceled 65 flights and delayed 18, while John F. Kennedy International Airport axed 21 trips and delayed 43 others.

About 1,600 US flights were canceled and 5,800 more were delayed on Monday as strong storms brought intermittent rain, thunder and lightning to the Northeast, USA Today reported .

The Federal Aviation Administration also previously warned passengers that summer travel in the New York area may experience hiccups due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, the outlet said.

There is a severe storm threat stretching from North Carolina to the New York-Canada border for Tuesday, with the epicenter of the activity the I-95 corridor from Washington, DC, to New York, Fox Weather told The Post.

“These storms are moving in a linear pattern from south to north, and we will see more heavy rain,” meteorologist Seth Darling said.

“Yesterday [in New Jersey] we had flooding, wind damage, hail,” he continued.

Despite the obvious weather threat, stranded passengers have been quick to lash out at airlines over the cancellations and delays on social media.

“United Airlines canceled my flight from [Newark to San Francisco] after 6hr delay and there’s no way to locate or retrieve my checked bag at Newark Airport,” one disgruntled traveler wrote on Twitter.

Another would-be passenger shared a video on Monday night of hundreds of travelers gathering in limbo at Newark Airport as the spate of cancellations and delays made it impossible to retrieve checked belongings.

“The staff keep shouting no retrievals. The line to get your luggage is 5 plus hours long,” they fired off .

Another traveler scheduled to depart from JFK also shared on Twitter their new travel plan after multiple days of cancellations.

After two days of cancelled flights I gave up trying to get out of JFK. Uber-ing to Penn Station now to catch a train to DC and fly back west out of there. So today is planes, trains & automobiles. Wish me luck! pic.twitter.com/m6TUQCCY2Y — Eileen Bjorkman (@AviationHistGal) June 27, 2023

“After two days of cancelled flights I gave up trying to get out of JFK. Uber-ing to Penn Station now to catch a train to DC and fly back west out of there…Wish me luck!” they wrote .

As of Tuesday morning, United Airlines is leading the charge for most cancellations with 337 nixed flights and 96 delays.

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Flight delays, cancellations carry on after massive winter storm

Thousands of flights have been canceled or delayed due to the massive winter storm

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Thousands of travelers stranded at airports were still trying to get to their destinations on Christmas Eve after a massive storm snarled air travel in the U.S. and Canada ahead of the holiday.

According to the flight tracking site Flight Aware , there were 5,723 flight cancellations and 17,836 delays on Saturday. Airports with the biggest impact: Seattle, Detroit, Minneapolis, Chicago and Denver

For the most part, conditions seemed to have improved at New York City area airports. Newark Airport, LaGuardia and JFK experienced gate holds and taxi delays of up to 15 minutes.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Saturday that the the Buffalo Niagara International Airport will be closed through Monday morning,

RELATED: Check the latest AccuWeather forecast

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Here are some tips on how to make sure you don't lose track of your luggage amid the travel crush.

Amazon, the US Postal Service, UPS and FedEx are all warning that the winter storm hitting large swaths of the United States is disrupting operations in the final delivery days before Christmas.

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Environment & Health Data Portal

Real-Time Air Quality: PM2.5 in NYC

Download accessible data.

This page contains visualizations. If you are using a screenreader, you can download a CSV file of the last 7 days of realtime air quality data.

Fine particles (PM2.5) are among the most harmful pollutants. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 contributes to an estimated 2,000 excess deaths from lung and heart disease each year in NYC (1 out of every 25 deaths in NYC), and short-term exposure contributes to asthma incidents severe enough to require a trip to the emergency department, and other health threats.

The air quality in NYC is generally good and has been improving over time. For PM2.5, NYC meets the National Ambient Air Quality Standard of an annual average under 12 μg/m 3 , and a 24-hour average under 35 μg/m 3 .

But hour to hour, there is large variation in our air quality - even in neighborhoods with the cleanest air. PM2.5 levels can spike to levels that can harm health, especially for people sensitive to air pollution. These higher levels are driven by daily changes in traffic volume, weather patterns that can trap emissions, and other short-term events.

Explore real-time data on PM2.5 (fine particles) from our network of realtime air quality monitors around NYC.

About the data

Data are hourly measurements of PM2.5, in micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m 3 ). External factors can sometimes affect monitor functioning. Data are preliminary and subject to change.

Data come from the NYC Community Air Survey 's street-level monitors, which measure ground-level exposures. We apply a calibration factor to make our data comparable to DEC data and historical EPA data.

We show the average readings from 11 rooftop monitors from the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) , which collects data for the Federal Clean Air Act.

Exceeds NAAQS 24-hour standard

All levels are below the NAAQS 24-hour standard (35 µg/m 3 )

*Monitor reported less than 18 hours in the last day.

Last 24 hours:

LOCATION : the average PM2.5 at this location is XX . This is XX the 24-hour NAAQS standard of 35 .

Last 24 hours

No value from the monitor. Sometimes monitors go down or have other problems. We only produce average values if there are more than 18 hourly readings over the last 24 hours.

The Air Quality Index

The Air Quality Index is the US Environmental Protection Agency's way of reporting air quality . It reports whether any of five major pollutants (ground-level ozone, fine particles, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide) are at levels that can harm health.

Air quality varies because sources vary

In NYC, about 30% of PM2.5 comes from far-away sources like coal-burning power plants in the Midwest. But more than half comes from local sources .

Building density affects a neighborhood's air quality because like vehicles, buildings burn fuel and emit pollutants: their boilers burn oil and gas to produce heat and hot water. This is one reason we often see more air pollution in the winter. Because of new heating oil regulations, PM2.5 has gone down dramatically, and SO2 levels are now indetectable. Read more at the NYCCAS annual report .

Industrial area

Industrial areas affect a neighborhood's air quality because of diesel exhaust from trucks idling and traveling through industrial areas, and from industrial combustion equipment.

Traffic density affects a neighborhood's air quality because engines produce PM2.5, black carbon, and NOx. While electric vehicles help reduce emissions, all vehicles also contribute to PM2.5 through tire wear and braking. Traffic volume is one reason we often see daily spikes in PM2.5 concentration in the mornings and evenings.

Truck traffic density affects a neighborhood's air quality because diesel combustion produces additional pollutants.

Common patterns in the data

There are several patterns that commonly show up in the data from our air quality monitors. Look at recent data for patterns that indicate:

Spatial differences

The monitors are in neighborhoods with different emissions sources, so have different PM2.5 levels. Midtown , which has the highest traffic density, usually has the most PM2.5.

Daily spikes

PM2.5 levels usually rise in the morning as traffic volume increases. These temporal differences (time spikes) are usually greater than spatial differences (the differences between neighborhoods). It's very rare for these spikes to exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 35 μg/m 3 for 24 hours.

Weather patterns

Weather can trap emissions and cause PM2.5 to build up. Sometimes we see a clear west-to-east pattern in rising PM2.5, as weather patterns moving into NYC traps local emissions. Other times, weather can bring wildfire smoke from far-away fires.

Other spikes

Sometimes there are dramatic, short-term spikes at unexpected times, and without having a camera on each monitor, we don't know what causes them. However, they can be explained by something as simple as a truck idling for a few minutes underneath the monitor.

To download data, choose the month, year, and data format (JSON or CSV) below.

Select year

Select month:

Select file format

This URL format can be used to access any available month of data, by specifying the year, month, and format.

Site info: This file contains information about the SiteID field in the data files.

About the data: Data in this archive are hourly averaged measurements of PM2.5 from the New York City Community Air Survey’s network of TSI DustTrak sensors.

Measurements: The value shown is PM2.5 in micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m3). ObservationTimeUTC datetime stamp displayed is the beginning of the averaged PM2.5 measurements for the hour (e.g. 2/1/2020 1:00:00 AM (UTC) reflects data collected between 2/1/2020 1:00:00 AM (UTC) and 2/1/2020 1:59:00 AM (UTC)).

External factors can sometimes affect monitor functioning. Data are preliminary and subject to change.

Data Stories

Neighborhood reports, data explorer.

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Strong geomagnetic storm reaches Earth, continues through weekend

NOAA space weather forecasters have observed at least seven coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun, with impacts expected to arrive on Earth as early as midday Friday, May 10, and persist through Sunday, May 12, 2024. 

NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has issued a Geomagnetic Storm Warning for Friday, May 10. Additional solar eruptions could cause geomagnetic storm conditions to persist through the weekend.

• The First of Several CMEs reached Earth on Friday, May 10 at 12:37 pm EDT.  The CME was very strong and SWPC quickly issued a series of geomagnetic storm warnings. SWPC observed G4 conditions at 1:39 pm EDT (G3 at 1:08 pm EDT).
• This storm is ongoing and SWPC will continue to monitor the situation and provide additional warnings as necessary.

This is an unusual and potentially historic event. Clinton Wallace , Director, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center

CMEs are explosions of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun’s corona. They cause geomagnetic storms when they are directed at Earth. Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth’s surface , potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations. SWPC has notified the operators of these systems so they can take protective action.

Geomagnetic storms can also trigger spectacular displays of aurora on Earth . A severe geomagnetic storm includes the potential for aurora to be seen as far south as Alabama and Northern California.

Related Features //

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

The Best Day Trips From NYC

By Nicole Kliest

It’s indisputable— New York City is one of the greatest cities on earth. But sometimes even its shiniest qualities are overshadowed by its flaws—ones that can wear even the most ardent New Yorker out. That’s why skipping town for a breath of fresh air, even for a day, is a self-care strategy everyone should adopt. Conveniently, there’s an abundance of things to do just beyond the city limits, from nature trails for outdoor enthusiasts to vintage shops well-suited for the antique hunter.

Before curating the day’s itinerary, determine whether you’ll be traveling via public transportation or picking up a car as this will inform the destinations most accessible to you. (Zipcar, Kyte, and Turo are car rental companies that are useful for quick trips like these.) Then, pick a destination that aligns with your interests. In desperate need of green space ? Hoping to bring back a new decor accent for the apartment? On the hunt for the best farm-to-table meal of your life? The best day trips from NYC deliver in spades. Ahead, our guide to making your great escape.

By Mélanie Nauche

By Hannah Coates

By Hannah Jackson

A natural wilderness beloved by just about every New Yorker, the Catskill Mountains are vast and beautiful. And while some regions are farther to reach than others, the Sullivan County Catskills are only 90 minutes from the city. Here you’ll find Callicoon, a charming hamlet that’s home to Seminary Hill —a hotel, restaurant, and working cider that offers tours and tastings . On your tour, you’ll explore the 12-acre organic orchard with 1,500 trees that produce over 60 varieties of apples and Perry pears, and end with a guided tasting of eight ciders. While in town, be sure to swing by Callicoon’s downtown historic district to pick up handmade homeware at the newly-opened Black Walnut (it turns into a cocktail bar at night). You’ll also be within driving distance of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts as well as locations for kayaking, canoeing, and hiking.

Approximate distance from NYC: 90-minute drive

American architect Philip Cortelyou Johnson was an early proponent of modern architecture and had a career that spanned nearly 75 years (including running the architecture department at MoMA). Visit one of his masterpieces— Glass House —in Canaan, Connecticut, which was designed and constructed in the 1940s. Today, visitors can explore the original mid century structures as well as several others, including a unique subterranean painting gallery. Additionally, this year marks the Glass House’s 75th anniversary and includes the opening of the Brick House to the public (just 80 feet from the main site) after an extensive restoration. Join a tour or guide yourself, there’s much to be appreciated at this historic campus.

Approximate distance from NYC: 2-hour train ride

When Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection opened in 2022, it was unlike any other hospitality concept in the area. Set on a sprawling farm surrounded by hiking trails and tranquil mountainsides, the luxury resort is the kind of place that makes you wonder why you live in a city at all. And even if you’re not a guest at the hotel, day trippers can experience Wildflower Farm’s incredible programming, such as their summer event with master floral designer, Ariella Chezar, where she’ll lead a full-day workshop followed by a ‘bloom flower dinner’ held in the property’s beautiful barn. And even if you’re not partaking in a workshop, a reservation at Wildflower Farm’s on-property restaurant Clay is a must.

Approximate distance from NYC: 2-hour drive

If your driver's license is defunct but you don’t feel like getting on a train, why not hop aboard a beautiful boat? Through Classic Harbor Line , you can charter a private yacht or classic motor boat for a peaceful day on the water. The cruise departs from Pier 62 and the skipper can help you chart your very own course (contingent on weather). Depending on the mood, one can glide up the Hudson River to see the Palisades or cruise out to New York Harbor to see the Statue of Liberty up close—all with the iconic Manhattan skyline as the backdrop.

Approximate distance from NYC: Depart from Chelsea Piers

Many New Yorkers relocated to Hudson, New York en masse during the pandemic, and for good reason. This quiet, charming town is surrounded by nature and offers a slower pace of life, while still feeling connected to a vibrant community. For visitors making the trip up here for the day (perhaps even to scope out some real estate?) one of the best things to do is antique hunting. Begin your day at The Antique Warehouse . Inside, you’ll discover 40,000 square feet of incredible vintage and antique finds spanning across all styles and periods of furniture, lighting, architectural salvage, and decorative accessories. If there’s time left, you can pop into other shops on the main drag like Theron Ware , and refuel for the ride back home at the cafe inside The Maker hotel.

Approximate distance from NYC: 2-hour drive or train ride

If your idea of a day well spent includes meandering between farm stands, sampling local wine, and soaking in fresh air, head out to the North Fork on Long Island. This sleepy wine country has been around since 1973 and is ideal for those who want a pleasant day among the vineyards, perhaps enjoying a casual meal or taking a coffee down to the water. There are over 50 wineries in the region, each producing a variety of styles. Need a few suggestions? Bedell , Lenz , Macari , McCall , and Paumanok are all top-notch spots to add to your list.

Need to touch some grass ? Lace up your hiking boots and head for the picturesque Delaware Water Gap. Here, you can explore a network of beautiful nature trails at a range of difficulty levels. If you’re a sucker for a waterfall, head for Raymondskill Falls and Dingmans Falls (located 15 minutes away from each other by car). The three-tiered Raymondskill Falls is the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania and is reached by a quick out-and-back loop. Similarly, the trail to Dingmans Falls is only a mile-and-a-half, making it easy to knock both out in the same day.

Approximate distance from NYC: 1.5-hour drive

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Disruptions Loom as 17 Air Traffic Controllers Balk at Job Relocation

The F.A.A. is clashing with workers over efforts to relocate them from New York to Philadelphia. Senator Chuck Schumer has denounced the plan.

By Kate Kelly

Reporting from Washington and Westbury, N.Y.

By late July, 17 air traffic controllers will be expected to trade in their headsets, walk out of their aging workplace on Long Island and report to a new office in Philadelphia, part of a plan to address a long-running problem with recruiting enough controllers to manage the skies around New York.

Despite the hefty incentives they have been offered to go along, the workers — unwilling to uproot themselves and their families — are balking at the move, and some powerful members of Congress are helping them fight back.

In a blistering letter sent to the Federal Aviation Administration last week, a group of New York lawmakers, including Senator Chuck Schumer, a Democrat and the majority leader, demanded that the agency abandon plans to force the employees’ relocation this summer.

The move places undue hardship on those workers, legislators argued. The “forced reassignments” by the F.A.A., Mr. Schumer and his colleagues wrote, are “both confusing and outrageous.” The controllers say their family lives would be disrupted, citing new marriages, disabled children and elderly parents they care for.

The fact that the Senate’s most powerful legislator would complain so loudly about a tiny group of workers underscores the power of the controllers’ nerve center in Westbury, N.Y. — an intense workplace whose formidable responsibilities, high-stress environment and strong personalities inspired a magazine story and the 1999 movie “Pushing Tin.”

The anger of the controllers and their supporters is clashing with the desperate effort by the F.A.A. to find and train enough employees willing to tackle the demands of ensuring the smooth and safe flow of aircraft in and out of the New York airspace — its most complex, by all accounts.

The New York hub has for years struggled with chronic vacancies, placing its recent staffing levels at some of the lowest levels in the nation. The F.A.A. hopes that shifting some of the responsibility for the work out of New York to a more affordable place to live will make it easier over time to recruit more controllers, leading to higher levels of staffing and, with that, increased air safety and efficiency.

But the agency’s plan also risks losing some of its more experienced controllers who are resistant to moving, which, perversely, could add to the staffing problems.

The relocations, which are scheduled for July 28, are necessary “to improve efficiency and ensure safety in this region,” Bridgett Frey, an F.A.A. spokeswoman, said in a statement.

The group targeted for the move handles the airspace around Newark Liberty International Airport, which in the view of the F.A.A. can be done just as well from Philadelphia as from Long Island. That is because this group of controllers uses radar scopes, instead of guiding planes from a runway tower overlooking takeoffs and landings.

F.A.A. figures show that staffing gaps last year at the Long Island building affected 4 percent of the 541,136 takeoffs and landings that occurred at New York’s major airports last summer. The agency expects the summer flying season, which begins later this month, to be its busiest since 2010.

The air traffic controllers say they, too, are fighting with safety in mind. They say they need to be in the same room with their New York colleagues, as they are now, to communicate quickly with them in a crisis.

“This is an extremely stressful job,” said Joe Segretto, the controller who is president of the local chapter of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association representing the New York airspace hub. For controllers, he added, being forced by the F.A.A. to relocate away from spouses and children “is going to add a tremendous amount of pressure.”

As moving day draws closer, the fight looms larger. The F.A.A. already put in place a 10 percent reduction in flight volume in the New York area to cope with lower staffing levels at its New York Terminal Radar Approach Control building in Westbury, known internally as N90. But any further staffing issues could mean there simply are not enough controllers to manage the increased volume planned for summer, forcing delays.

The fate of this handful of employees in a work force of more than 14,000 has gotten the attention of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, even as his workload strains under the demands of tackling jetliner assembly problems at Boeing, investigating the cause of recent train derailments and leading the battle against what the Biden Administration says are “junk fees” charged by airlines.

“The complexity of N90 is more complex than many countries’ entire airspaces,” Mr. Buttigieg said in an interview with The New York Times in December.

Given the low staffing levels at N90, he added, “we know there needs to be more attention there.” Just 59 percent of available controller roles in the building are filled, according to March figures from the F.A.A.

Last June, the F.A.A. was chastised by the inspector general’s office at the Transportation Department, its parent agency, for doing too little to address yearslong shortfalls in controller staffing. Days after those findings were published, United Airlines delayed and canceled flights that affected 150,000 passengers. Scott Kirby, United’s chief executive, blamed the F.A.A. for controller shortages that he said exacerbated a situation in which his pilots were already contending with bad weather in the New York area.

Controllers working at N90, which is housed in a squat, windowless building in suburban Long Island, are responsible for overseeing the early ascent and descent of hundreds of thousands of flights at John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark airports each year — equating to at least 60 per hour in and out of Newark alone on a typical day or evening shift, according to F.A.A. data. N90 is second to Southern California’s airspace in size but is arguably a more critical cog in the overall system, affecting the punctuality and well-being of hundreds of thousands of passengers each day.

The F.A.A. has battled controller shortages nationwide since the pandemic, which forced pauses in training at both its Oklahoma City academy and on-site at air traffic control hubs around the United States. But N90’s low staffing has been particularly urgent.

The controllers’ jobs are so demanding and specialized that years of experience are customarily required to do them, including 18 to 24 months of hands-on training at N90 after working assignments at less-busy locations. Westbury’s short staffing in recent years has meant that some controllers have earned close to $400,000 a year because of extra pay, according to F.A.A. documents reviewed by The New York Times. At $183,000, the head of the F.A.A., Michael Whitaker, makes much less.

The agency over the years has tried a variety of strategies for filling the vacant jobs at N90, including offering raises and bonuses and using new recruitment tactics. (One hiring effort that targeted candidates with no relevant experience — referred to by some N90 controllers as “off-the-street” hires — was tried, controllers say, without much success.)

The washout rate has remained stubbornly high. Just 32 percent of N90 trainees achieved certification as fully qualified, according to F.A.A. statistics from March, a far lower rate than at comparable facilities. The Transportation Department’s report last year showed that N90 had the fewest supervisors of any Terminal Radar Approach Control, or Tracon, building in the nation, with only eight in place out of 30 authorized slots.

The F.A.A. has been working to relocate some of N90’s controllers to Philadelphia since at least 2020, only to be stymied by both the controllers’ union and New York legislators.

Its most recent effort to negotiate a move with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association began late last year. The two sides came to terms in March, according to documents reviewed by The Times, with a package that included an initial 15 percent incentive bonus and a $75,000 payout for those who moved to Philadelphia permanently. But, lacking an adequate number of volunteers to make the Philadelphia transfer work, the F.A.A. took a tougher stance about six weeks later, according to an April 29 memorandum that was reviewed by The Times: It notified more than a dozen N90 controllers that they would be involuntarily reassigned.

Under urging from the union, Representative Anthony D’Esposito, whose district includes N90, put together the May 7 letter demanding that the F.A.A. rescind its reassignments. In addition to Mr. Schumer, it was signed by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and four other members of Congress from the region in and around Long Island. Three of them were Republicans, including Mr. D’Esposito.

“You have people who actually have strong, solid jobs, and they’re not moving because they want to — they’re moving because we’re telling them to,” Mr. D’Esposito said in an interview. “It’s not a good situation.”

Some controllers who do not move may be reassigned to new roles at N90. But getting a new role is dependent upon proving to the F.A.A. that a move would create undue hardship and would require training for a new post for a year or more.

The F.A.A., which spent $36 million to renovate and upgrade the Philadelphia Tracon building, has recently tried again to make the relocation attractive. In the April 29 memo in which it mandated the 17 staff moves, the agency raised to $100,000 its incentive bonuses for controllers who relocated to Philadelphia, either temporarily or permanently.

Yet Mr. Segretto, the union chapter president, and many of his members are unwavering.

“We are completely against it,” he said. “It’s forcing air traffic controllers to choose between their career and leave their families, or to resign from their job.”

Mark Walker contributed reporting from Washington.

Kate Kelly covers money, policy and influence for The Times. More about Kate Kelly

Upstate NY’s ‘Grand Canyon of the East’ named among best state parks in U.S.

• Updated: May. 10, 2024, 4:50 p.m. |
• Published: May. 09, 2024, 3:13 p.m.

Letchworth State Park's Upper Falls and Portage Railroad Viaduct near Castille, N.Y. Letchworth, the Grand Canyon of the East, has been named one of the top state park's in America by TimeOut. Getty Images

• Samantha House | [email protected]

Castile, N.Y. — Letchworth State Park is Upstate New York at its most unforgettably beautiful and epic best.

Nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the East”, Letchworth is full of towering cliffs, roaring waterfalls and lush forests. The sprawling park in Western New York is bisected by the Genesee River, which tumbles over three major waterfalls sandwiched between cliffs that climb as high as 600 feet, according to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

And now, the already beloved park can add another accolade to its lengthy resume: Letchworth has been named one of the 10 best state parks in the United States.

Letchworth was the only New York park to make the ranking by Time Out , an international travel website. The list started with Amelia Island State Park in Florida and ended with Big Bend Ranch State Park in Texas.

What landed Letchworth a spot on the short list of top state parks?

“This Western New York state park provides a lot of versatility,” Time Out wrote in its review.

Hot air balloons fly over Letchworth State Park during the Red, White & Blue Balloon Festival on May 27, 2016. Scott Schild | [email protected]

Letchworth is so big that it has six main entrances — including four on the west side of the park, where visitors have access to the Humphrey Nature Center, the historic Glen Iris Inn and Letchworth’s main waterfall draws: the Upper, Middle and Lower falls, according to Wyoming County Tourism .

The park offers many flavors of outdoor excursions, ranging from guided hikes and kayaking to hot air balloon rides over the gorge.

Letchworth also has an inclusive, engaging Autism Nature Trail — the first in the nation.

The park with its home base in Castile has earned plenty of recognition.

Last year, Outside magazine named Letchworth as one of the 14 best state parks for hiking in the United States. It has also been named the best state park in the nation by USA Today’s 10Best.

Letchworth State Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The vehicle entry fee is $10 per personal vehicle; $35 for non-profit buses; and $75 for commercial buses.

To find more information about Letchworth, including which trails are open and what activities are offered, visit Letchworth’s website .

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This Is When Traffic Will Be Worst for Memorial Day Weekend, According to AAA

Time to start planning for the holiday.

alexandragl1/Getty Images

More than 43 million Americans are expected to travel for the Memorial Day holiday weekend, and a record number of those will hit the roads, making it essential travelers plan their road trips ahead.

In total, 43.8 million travelers are forecast to travel 50 miles or more from their homes, according to AAA , representing a 4 percent increase compared to last year. Of those, 38.4 million are expected to travel by car, the highest number for the Memorial Day holiday weekend since AAA started tracking data in 2000.

“We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” Paula Twidale, the senior vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement. “We’re projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.” 

When it comes to road trips , most people are expected to pile into their cars on Thursday, May 23, and on Friday, May 24. Drivers hoping to avoid the worst traffic should set out super early to avoid competing with commuters, according to AAA. Those coming home on Sunday or Monday should similarly avoid the afternoon hours.

Overall, the best time to hit the road on Thursday is before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m., while the best time to travel on Friday is before 11 a.m. or after 8 p.m. On Sunday, the best travel time to avoid congestion is before 1 p.m., while travelers are best off leaving after 7 p.m. on Monday.

Not all cities will see the same traffic, of course. The Tampa, Florida, area is expected to see one of the biggest traffic increases with up to an 88 percent bump in traffic on Sunday morning along I-75 S, while the Los Angeles area is expected to see up to an 84 percent increase in traffic on Thursday evening along I-5 N.

Beyond roads, more than 3.5 million travelers are expected to take to the skies, leading to crowded airports — the most crowded since 2005. These Memorial Day weekend air travel numbers represent a 4.8 percent increase compared to last year and a 9 percent increase compared to 2019. 

An additional 1.9 million travelers are forecast to use other transportation like buses, cruises , and trains . That’s a 5.6 percent increase compared to last year, according to AAA.

“Travel demand has been soaring, and long holiday weekends create the perfect windows for getaways,” Twidale said.

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Wildfire in Canada forces thousands to evacuate as smoke causes dangerous air quality

May 12, 2024 / 9:43 AM EDT / CBS/AP

Thousands of residents from a Canadian town are being urged to evacuate amid a fast-growing wildfire that has resulted in poor air quality and reduced visibility.

The blaze in northeastern British Columbia started Friday and almost doubled in size by the following day, reaching about 4,200 acres. BC Wildfire Service maps showed the fire burning just a few miles west of Fort Nelson's city limits. Fort Nelson is located in the far northeastern corner of British Columbia, about 995 miles from Vancouver. Fort Nelson and the Fort Nelson Indian Reserve have a combined population of about 3,000.

The wildfire smoke coming from British Columbia is causing widespread poor air quality and reduced visibility, a Sunday alert said.

Online footage shared by locals from the Fort Nelson wildfire showed thick plumes of smoke rising high into the sky, with houses in the foreground. In some photos, haze seemed to cover wide areas.

The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and Fort Nelson First Nation issued a joint statement warning people choosing to stay that "emergency medical services are not available, nor are groceries or other amenities."

The municipality mayor, Rob Fraser, said most of the residents in and around Fort Nelson have been evacuated, adding that police were going door to door to ensure everyone got out.

"In moments of uncertainty, unity becomes critical," Fraser said in the press release. "Please evacuate calmly, our collective strength will be our resilience."

Health authorities said Fort Nelson General Hospital has been safely evacuated and closed until further notice.

Authorities in Alberta also issued an alert about a wildfire 15.5 miles southwest of the oil sands city of Fort McMurray that could impact visibility on highways in some areas. No evacuation order has been given so far for the major Canadian oil city.

Fire restrictions will remain in effect in the area until conditions improve, officials said.

"Five crews of wildland firefighters, nine helicopters and air tankers worked on the southeast perimeter today. Windy conditions challenged firefighting efforts," Alberta Wildfire said Saturday, adding that an incident management team will be managing the wildfire.

The high winds pushed smoke across Alberta on Saturday, putting the city of Edmonton under an air quality advisory with hazard levels rated at 10-plus — or "very high risk" — forecast.

Meteorologists are not anticipating rain and have advised people to stay indoors.

While conditions should begin to improve Sunday night, they will likely remain poor through Monday or even Tuesday, officials said.

Canadian officials warned Sunday that people with lung diseases such as asthma, people with heart disease, older adults, children, those who are pregnant and people who work outdoors are at a higher risk of experiencing health effects from wildfire smoke. They recommended people who spend time outdoors wear a mask to reduce exposure to fire particles in the smoke.

"Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone's health even at low concentrations," officials said.

In April, Canadian officials warned the country could face another catastrophic wildfire season after last year's  historic fires . 

There were warmer-than-normal temperatures and widespread drought conditions across Canada this winter, officials disclosed. Weather outlooks indicate that Canada can expect higher-than-normal temperatures this spring and summer as well, setting the stage for wildfires. 

"With the heat and dryness across the country, we can expect that the wildfire season will start sooner and end later, and potentially be more explosive," Canada Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan said at a press conference.

Canada's wildfire season  typically runs from May through October. The country is home to about 9% of the world's forests. 

In 2023, Canada witnessed a record number of wildfires that also caused choking smoke in parts of the U.S. and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate across British Columbia. That year, 19 counties in 11 states had multiple days with "very unhealthy" and "hazardous" air quality.

Smoke  billowed to the U.S., blanketing portions of the East Coast and Midwest. Last June, New York City's air quality became some of the worst in the world in June as Canada's wildfire smoke blew in.

In 2023, Canada's severe weather caused over $3.1 billion in insured damages, officials said. 

• Climate Change
• Wildfire Smoke

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