Hot Weather Causing Air Quality Issues on Coast of Maine

If you’ve noticed the air feeling a little heavier outside today, there’s a reason for it.

According to an article on the WMTW website, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Air Quality has issued an air quality alert for Tuesday because of elevated ground-level ozone levels.

The alert will stay in effect until 10 PM. Areas along the coast could see air quality reach the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category. That includes young kids, older adults, people with asthma or other breathing issues, anyone with heart disease, and people doing strenuous work outdoors.

Officials say it’s still fine to be outside, but you may want to take it a little easier if you start noticing symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, throat irritation, or chest discomfort. Think of the air like a sunburn you can’t see. Fine in small doses, but not something you want to push too hard through.

The timing also lines up with some serious heat. Afternoon temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 80s to near 90 across much of inland and southern Maine, while coastal spots stay a touch cooler. Even overnight, temperatures will barely dip, only falling into the upper 60s to around 70. Wednesday is expected to stay warm too, although temperatures may back off slightly compared to Tuesday

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Will Maine See Severe Thunderstorms on Tuesday?

The article goes on to say that there is a chance that parts of Maine could see severe thunderstorms on Tuesday afternoon or even Tuesday evening.