Knox County Experiences Worst Air Quality in U.S., Likely to Continue

National Weather ServiceA large part of the Midwest, including Knox County, is seeing the exit of poor air quality which hovered over the western region of the state this morning. The exit may only be temporary though. That’s according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Geelhart, who tells WGIL that some of the morning haze citizens may have seen was actually due to smoke.

“The problem that the air quality has been is because of forest fires that are going on in Northwest Canada right now,” says Geelhart. “The smoke from that has been flowing Southeast for several days and as it’s gone on in time, the air quality has gotten worse over a large part of the Midwest.”

NWS reportedly received reports today from people saying the smell of smoke was evident at the surface. Geelhart says visibility has been reduced at times between two and four miles, depending on location. He also says, that people have reported having respiratory issues, such as asthma and emphysema.

The current front is expected to be southeast of Galesburg at this point. However, Geelhart says bad air quality could make a return several times over the coming weeks as fires continue to burn up north. He expects to see improvements within the next couple of days, with another chance of smoke possible this weekend.

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