Cleveland, Ohio – Residents across Northeast Ohio face unhealthy air through Friday as a regional ozone advisory takes effect, threatening the well-being of children, the elderly, and anyone with breathing difficulties. Air quality is expected to reach levels considered unsafe for sensitive groups until midnight Friday night, impacting communities from Lorain and Cleveland east to Ashtabula and Akron.
According to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, ozone pollution will climb as weather patterns trap smog near the ground. The alert, issued in partnership with the Ohio EPA and local health officials, covers Cuyahoga, Lorain, Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula, Medina, Summit, and Portage counties. The advisory urges at-risk residents to limit outdoor activity, track local readings at airnow.gov, and sign up for real-time updates through enviroflash.info.
Commuters are urged to help limit emissions by biking, using transit, working from home, and avoiding unnecessary car trips. Agencies also recommend refueling vehicles after sunset and postponing lawn mowing until the advisory ends. Even healthy residents should take extra precautions as air pollution can aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions.
This advisory remains in effect until midnight Friday. Additional alerts could follow if weather conditions do not improve.
