Cleveland, Ohio – Cleveland and Akron residents may face breathing difficulties Wednesday as unhealthy ozone levels trigger an air quality advisory across Northeast Ohio. The alert, issued for ground-level ozone, remains in effect from midnight Tuesday through midnight Wednesday.
According to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), sensitive groups — including children, the elderly, and people with asthma or other respiratory issues — should limit prolonged outdoor activity. The advisory impacts Cuyahoga, Summit, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula counties.
Ground-level ozone, a harmful air pollutant formed on hot, sunny days, can aggravate lung conditions and increase the risk of respiratory symptoms. With temperatures climbing into the low 80s and light winds trapping pollutants near the surface, conditions are ripe for poor air quality.
Residents are urged to reduce emissions by avoiding unnecessary driving, combining errands, and refueling vehicles after sunset. Outdoor chores like mowing should be postponed, and idling engines should be turned off. Real-time air quality data is available at airnow.gov, and text alerts can be set up through enviroflash.info.
More air quality alerts are possible later this week as warm, stagnant conditions persist. Sensitive individuals should stay informed and plan accordingly.
