NWS: Air Quality Alert expanded Friday, July 17, 2026 to include Central New York & Oneida County

LOWVILLE & LEWIS COUNTY AND CENTRAL NEW YORK & ONEIDA COUNTY- AIR QUALITY ALERT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2026.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at Albany has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for Fine Particulates until midnight EDT tonight.

Air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 115 for fine particulates. The Air Quality Index...or AQI...was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale. The higher the AQI value...the greater the health concern.

When pollution levels are elevated...the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease. Those with symptoms should consider consulting their personal physician.

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