Live Updates > Live Update Details
2026-07-18 22:44:14
[Canadian Wildfires Continue to Spread; Multiple US Regions Issue Air Quality, Severe Surge, and Flood Warnings] Affected by the thick smoke from the Canadian wildfires, as of the morning of July 18th local time, air quality warnings have been issued in more than ten states across the United States, stretching from the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region to New England, and further south to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. It is understood that more than 900 wildfires are still burning in Canada, and large amounts of smoke continue to drift towards the northeastern United States and the Mid-Atlantic region. However, a storm system expected to pass through on the 18th is expected to help disperse some of the smoke. Meanwhile, driven by northwesterly winds, a thick smoke band is gradually entering the Midwestern United States and the upper Great Lakes region, and air quality is expected to remain poor throughout the weekend. On the other hand, the US Storm Forecasting Center has issued a Level 3 (out of 5) severe convective weather risk warning for the Ohio Valley, the Northeast, and parts of the Mid-Atlantic. Major cities along Interstate 95, including New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., are likely to be affected, while Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Buffalo are also expected to experience severe thunderstorms. Multiple rounds of rain and thunderstorms will bring destructive winds, hail, and a small number of tornadoes, with some areas also facing the risk of flash flooding. Flood warnings have already been issued for parts of the northeastern United States, including New York City and Philadelphia, and will remain in effect until the night of the 18th.
