May 16th, 2023
An air quality advisory has been issued for Metro Vancouver due to high concentrations of ground-level ozone.
The Metro Vancouver Regional District issued an advisory on Monday afternoon (May 15), warning of poor air quality that is expected to persist until temperatures cool down.
Environment Canada's special weather statement remains in effect for the region, with daytime highs expected to soar roughly 10 C to 15 C above seasonal averages and overnight lows ranging from 5 C to 10 C above normal.
While the Metro Vancouver weather forecast includes slightly cooler temperatures on Tuesday, they will remain several degrees above what is normally experienced this time of year.
The advisory notes that wildfire smoke from the Davis Lake fire (near Mission, B.C.) has worsened hazy conditions in the northeast part of the region but "fine particulate matter concentrations" are well below air quality advisory levels.
Metro Vancouver-Northeast, the Central Fraser Valley, and the Eastern Fraser Valley have a "moderate" health risk on the Air Quality Health Index, meaning that at-risk populations should "consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities" outside if they experience symptoms. The general population won't need to change their behaviour unless they experience throat irritation or coughing.
The air quality advisory will remain in effect until further notice. For more information on advisories Province-wide, click here.