Air Quality Alert in effect for most of New York
Today, Saturday, June 7, 2025, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation based in Albany has officially issued an Air Quality Health Advisory due to rising levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in much of the Empire State, including the entire Western New York region.
According to the bulletin, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in affected areas is forecasted to exceed 100, indicating “unhealthy for sensitive groups” conditions. The alert remains active until 11:59 p.m. tonight.
Counties impacted across New York
This alert concerns residents in multiple areas across the state, including:
Western New York:
Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming
The Adirondacks:
Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, northern Herkimer, Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Warren
Eastern Lake Ontario region:
northern Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Oswego, and Wayne
What the air quality levels mean today
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a unified scale used to communicate the health impact of different types of pollution, especially particulate matter, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide. When the AQI exceeds 100, air pollution can pose moderate health risks, especially to sensitive populations.
The most at-risk categories include:
Children, older adults, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions such as asthma or heart disease.
Precautionary health guidance from health officials
When pollution levels rise:
Outdoor physical exertion should be reduced, especially for sensitive individuals. This means avoiding jogging, sports, or heavy yard work during the peak hours of exposure.
The New York State Department of Health has recommended that anyone experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, or chest discomfort should contact their healthcare provider for further assessment.
Outlook for the rest of the day
Skies across Watertown, Buffalo, and the Adirondack foothills will appear hazy, with reduced visibility and mild smoke odor possible throughout the day. Temperatures in Buffalo and Rochester are expected to reach the low 80s °F (around 27 °C) with light winds from the west-northwest, which may slightly disperse particulates by evening.
Stay tuned for additional updates as air quality conditions evolve hour by hour across the Northeast.
