Vancouverites wake up to blue skies and mountain views (PHOTOS)
Vancouver’s air quality is no longer worse than Beijing, Hong Kong, and Los Angeles.
Runners for the Seawheeze Lululemon Half-Marathon are amongst the early risers to enjoy the new closer-to-pristine conditions.
For the first time in nearly two weeks, Vancouverites could see the mountains and some blue sky through actual cloud cover as much of the thick wildfire smoke from the BC Interior dissipated overnight due to a change in wind direction.
Air quality readings are now significantly closer to normal, with readings on the World Air Quality Index Project showing either “Good” (Green) or “Moderate” (Yellow) this morning – a far cry from Friday morning’s “Unhealthy” (Red) readings hitting 150 on the Air Quality Index.
Air quality in Metro Vancouver as of 6 am on Saturday, August 12, 2017. (World Air Quality Index Project)
Some smoke still lingers, particularly in the northern areas of the region near the mountains and valleys, and an Air Quality Advisory – the longest in regional history – is still in effect. But air quality should further improve as the day progresses.
A low pressure system will push away the high pressure system responsible for the smoky air mass out of Metro Vancouver, bringing rainfall late Saturday through Sunday.
Temperatures will cool down considerably today to a daytime high of 22°C and a nighttime high of 13°C by the water.
See also
- Forecast of rain in Metro Vancouver this weekend will clear wildfire smoke
- Vancouver has worse air quality than Hong Kong right now
- Smoky haze in Metro Vancouver could become the 'new normal'
- Map showing wildfires and air quality around British Columbia
- Here's what the wildfire smoke over BC looks like from space right now (GIF)
- Vancouver weather this week may see showers disperse the smoky haze
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