DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of Ozone For Thursday, June 11, 2026 - Friday, June 12, 2026

Levels May Be Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups During This Time

(HARTFORD)— The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) forecasts that air quality for coastal areas in Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties will reach or exceed levels that are high Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) on Thursday, June 11^th and on Friday, June 12^thdue to ozone levels in the outdoor air we breathe.

What You Should Do

If you are in a sensitive group, which includes young children, the elderly or anyone who has pre-existing health concerns such as asthma, heart or lung problems, then you should:

Make outdoor activities shorter and less intense and take more breaks.
Watch for symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath and follow your health care provider’s action plan.

For everyone else:

Limit time outdoors, especially in the afternoon and evening
Move workouts and activities indoors or reschedule
Take frequent breaks if you must be outside

If You Feel Symptoms

Stop activity and go indoors right away if you experience:

Coughing
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Eye or throat irritation

Seek medical care if symptoms are severe or do not improve.

Reduce Your Exposure

Keep windows and doors closed
Run air conditioning on recirculate
Use a HEPA air purifier if available
Avoid adding indoor pollution (e.g., burning candles, smoking, vacuuming without HEPA filters)

Ozone is formed when air pollution from fossil fuel combusted by both local and upwind sources, including vehicles, power plants and other industrial sources, combines in the presence of summer-like temperatures.

“With warmer temperatures, we are again forecasting elevated ozone levels today and tomorrow along the Connecticut coastline,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes, “and we are noticing a troubling trend: We’ve already exceeded the ozone standard on eight days this year – a pace not seen since 2016. If this trend continues, Connecticut can expect to experience many more days of unhealthy air quality this summer. Connecticut’s air quality struggles are directly related to air pollution transported into the state, which combines with local air pollution from higher emitting trucks and cars on Connecticut roads. The authority to address this pollution falls squarely on the federal government. Connecticut will continue to fight against a federal deregulatory agenda that will allow more pollution that impacts our environment and the public health of our residents.”

"When ozone levels are elevated and temperatures are this high, the air itself becomes a health risk, particularly for those who are already vulnerable," said Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, M.D. "If you or someone in your family has asthma, a heart condition, or a respiratory illness or if you are elderly, pregnant, or caring for young children the next few days you'll want to modify your outdoor plans. Stay indoors during peak hours, keep windows closed, run air conditioning if you have it, and keep medications within reach. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity or prolonged physical exertion, which causes you to inhale deeper and faster. DPH is actively tracking these conditions and coordinating closely with DEEP to monitor air quality across the state. If you experience difficulty breathing, chest tightness, or worsening respiratory symptoms, seek medical attention promptly. No outdoor activity is worth a crisis, your health and safety come first."

Weather Summary and Air Quality Alert

Temperatures are expected to be near 90 beginning on Thursday, June 11, 2026, continuing into Friday, June 12, 2026. The hot temperatures, mostly sunny skies, and southwest winds along the coast will contribute to elevated ozone levels for coastal portions of the state on Thursday, June 11, 2026, and Friday, June 12, 2026.

Map of Air Quality Forecast for Thursday, June 11, 2026

Map of Air Quality Forecast for Friday, June 12, 2026

What You Can Do to Help

While ozone levels in the northeast have improved significantly over the last 30 years, Connecticut continues to struggle to meet both the 2008 and the 2015 federal health-based standards for ozone, which are necessary to protect families and children from unhealthy air pollution.

Connecticut has made great strides implementing control strategies to reduce air pollution and establish several new programs and initiatives concerning electric vehicle use and reduction of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. To meet the federal health-based standard for ozone, which Connecticut exceeded on 23 days last year, DEEP continues to pursue tools and strategies to further reduce air pollution in Connecticut from sources like cars and trucks while working with EPA to ensure that air transported into Connecticut meets the ozone standard as well.

Additionally, there are steps that we can all take to reduce our contribution to local air pollution. DEEP recommends simple, common-sense steps to reduce air pollution that may even help save you some money at the same time!

Drive Less – consider carpooling, vanpooling, using public transit or tele-working;
Drive Clean – consider purchasing or leasing an electric vehicle. Learn more by visiting: www.driveelectricus.com and CHEAPR - Home (ct.gov);
Green your lawn – consider using battery-powered mowers, string trimmers, leaf blowers and other battery powered garden equipment around your home;
Reduce or Shift Energy Demand – purchase energy efficient products like ENERGY STAR^® LED lights and ENERGY STAR^® air conditioning, use programmable thermostats set to 78^o or higher when no one is home, and use energy intensive appliances like washing machines, dryers and dishwashers later in the day;
Be Aware of Your Air – Understand the Air Quality Index and sign up to receive alerts so you will know when air quality is predicted to be unhealthy; and
Small changes add up – When you know there will be an unhealthy air day, make small changes to your routine:

Refuel your vehicle after dusk and stop refueling when the nozzle clicks off,
Avoid idling your vehicle unnecessarily and keep tire pressures at their recommended level,
Delay using gasoline powered mowers and yard equipment,
Limit your outdoor activity in the heat of the day,
Refrain from recreational wood burning;

Remember that knowledge is power! Ask your local school if they participate in the School Flag Program, EPA’s Air Quality awareness tool that uses colored flags based on the AQI to notify teachers, students, administrators and the local community of air quality conditions.

Twitter: @CTDEEPNews

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Contact

DEEP Communications
DEEP.Communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110

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