Great Lake, border-spanning water body
Heavy wildfire smoke has darkened skies from the Midwest to the East Coast, prompting health warnings and indoor-only guidance as air quality remains unhealthy to hazardous. A lingering high-pressure system is trapping smoke near the ground, with Philadelphia reporting smoky, hazy skies. A major league game start times were adjusted accordingly.
Wildfire smoke from Canadian and U.S. fires has created unhealthy air across the Midwest, Northeast and beyond. Official alerts urge residents to stay indoors as air-quality deteriorates. Climate-linked fires are intensifying, with conditions likely to persist and spread smoke further south and east.
The El Niño weather pattern has intensified, with multiple reports showing record sea-surface temperatures and forecasts of extreme heat. Scientists warn that global impacts will intensify through 2027, affecting temperatures, rainfall, and wildfire risk across regions from the Pacific to Africa and the Americas.