Chicago has an air quality alert right now as the World Air Quality Index lists us first (last?) in the world for worst air quality:
Canadian wildfire smoke pouring into Chicago has made its air quality the worst in the world Tuesday.
The World Air Quality Index ranked Chicago as the worst for air quality, with Dubai, Minneapolis, Jakarta and Doha, Indonesia rounding out the top 5. Chicago’s air is labeled an “unhealthy” 172 by the index.
The National Weather Service blamed the conditions and low visibility on the wildfire smoke that has wafted down from Canada and impacted large regions of the U.S. The service suggested limiting prolonged outdoor activities.
The problem is predicted to last through the day Tuesday.
I haven't seen air quality like this since I visited Los Angeles in the early 1980s:
A low cloud layer hung over the area until just a few minutes ago, but as you can see from this GOES-East image, we've got thick enough smoke that it almost makes now difference:
I just snapped this photo from my office door:
(I'd send up my drone but it's a bit too windy.)
People wonder what anthropogenic climate change looks like. Well, here it is.