A pattern of changing weather is expected to limit the duration of poor air quality readings across South Carolina this week, despite large wildfires continuing to burn across parts of the Southeast.
Last week, several monitoring sites, along the Savannah River Valley and in the Lowcountry, reported air quality index readings in the unhealthy range as smoke became trapped near the surface, aided by southwesterly winds.
This week, winds are expected to only be out of the southwesterly direction, from late Tuesday through early Wednesday, reducing the window for smoke across South Carolina.
Another frontal boundary is forecast to move through the area beginning Wednesday, bringing the chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms that will persist into Thursday.
In addition to rainfall, the front will once again allow for a wind shift, turning the flow to be more out of the north and helping to clear the air for the latter part of the workweek.
Air quality values are expected to remain in the “good” range from Thursday through at least the weekend, with the northerly flow preventing the smoke from returning.
Long-range forecasts suggest that any return to a southwesterly flow, which would increase smoke concerns, may not develop until sometime during May, providing several days of better air quality readings.
The air quality index, commonly referred to as the AQI, is a measure used to indicate how polluted the air is and the potential health effects.
Values in the “good,” or “green,” range indicate little to no health risk, while categories in the "purple" and "maroon" levels are considered to be hazardous, with potential ramifications.
Health experts advise individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma or chronic lung disease, to take precautions when the air quality begins to deteriorate into the moderate or unhealthy categories.
Limiting outdoor activity, keeping windows closed and using air conditioning can help reduce exposure on smoky days.
Until significant rainfall occurs across the Southeast, the threat of additional wildfires and smoke will continue, with many areas experiencing at least extreme drought conditions.
The Pineland Road Fire and the Highway 82 Fire burning across southern Georgia are producing a majority of the smoke and have consumed more than 50,000 acres.
According to local officials, more than 120 structures have been destroyed, with containment on both fires remaining below 10%, despite hundreds of firefighters working to control the blazes.
