IDEM forecasts Air Quality Action Day for today in Northwest, North Central Indiana

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has forecast an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) for Tuesday.

Ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range (Orange) in the following areas:

• North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area.
• Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities within the area.

Warm temperatures, partly skies and light winds are expected today as a cold front approaches the region and then stalls that will lead to conditions that are suitable for ozone development when combined with other emission sources.

Hoosiers can visit SmogWatch.IN.gov to:

• View Air quality information for all Indiana counties, including a state map of affected counties;
• Learn more about Air Quality Action Days and recommended actions;
• Learn more about ozone and fine particulate matter; and
• Sign up for air quality alerts.

Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. (24-hours) on the specified date. Some municipalities have additional open burning restrictions on AQADs. For more information, go to idem.IN.gov/openburning/laws-and-rules. 

Note: IDEM forecasts are based, solely or in part, on data from air quality monitors located throughout the state. IDEM encourages residents of counties within or bordering the affected region(s) to heed the forecast. Air quality information for all Indiana counties can be found at SmogWatch.IN.gov.