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AEUS73 KIWX 081448
AQAIWX

Air Quality Alert Message
Relayed by National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1048 AM EDT Wed Jul 8 2026

MIZ078-177-277-090400-
Cass MI-Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien-
Including the cities of Dowagiac, Cassopolis, Edwardsburg,
Marcellus, Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Paw Paw Lake, Niles,
New Buffalo, Stevensville, and Berrien Springs
1048 AM EDT Wed Jul 8 2026

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT...

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
(EGLE) has declared an Air Quality Alert for Wednesday, July 8th,
for elevated levels of ozone in parts of southwest Michigan.
Pollutants within those areas are expected to be in the Unhealthy for
Sensitive Groups (USG, Orange AQI) range.

The Air Quality Alert is in effect for the following counties in
southwest Michigan...

Berrien and Cass

Warm temperatures, ample sunlight and southwest winds will mix with
pollutants to produce surface-level Ozone in west and southwest
Michigan.

It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous
outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and
respiratory conditions like asthma. Monitor for symptoms such as
wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose,
throat, and eyes.

People and businesses are urged to avoid activities which lead to
ozone formation. These activities include:
 * refueling vehicles or topping off when refueling;
 * using gasoline powered lawn equipment;
 * using charcoal lighter fluid.

Positive activities include:
 * driving less;
 * telecommuting;
 * delaying or combining errands;

For up-to-date air quality data for Michigan visit the MiAir site:
Michigan.gov/MiAir

For up-to-date air quality data nationally visit EPA`s Air Now site:
AirNow.gov

$$