Press Releases
06/22/2025
Connecticut Facing First Summer Heat Wave DEEP Forecasts Elevated Levels of Ozone for June 22 and 23, 2025
Levels May Be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups During This Time
(HARTFORD) — The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting temperatures to reach the mid to upper 90’s beginning Sunday, June 22 and last through Wednesday June 25, 2025. At points during this heat wave heat indices are expected to exceed 100oF. These very hot temperatures will contribute to elevated ozone levels for the southern portion of Connecticut on Sunday and Monday. These levels may approach or exceed Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) levels for these parts of Connecticut.
Map of Air Quality Forecast for Sunday, June 22, 2025
Map of Air Quality Forecast for Monday, June 23, 2025
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 78o 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.
Health Effects of Air Pollution
When air quality is forecasted to be USG, there is an increased likelihood that individuals in sensitive groups will develop respiratory symptoms and may experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Children and people with asthma or other lung disease are most at risk for experiencing these symptoms. Active children and adults, and people with impaired lung function or cardiovascular disease should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Peak ozone levels generally occur between 2-8 p.m. EDT, so make sure you get your activity or exercise in before or after these times to minimize adverse health effects.
Weather Summary
Weather models predict that Connecticut will experience an intense and prolonged heatwave under the influence of a persistent high-pressure ridge. Sunday will bring sunny skies, extremely high temperatures in the 90’s, and light southerly/southwesterly winds contributing to ozone production across the southern region of the state. On Monday, high pressure persists but weakens slightly. Conditions remain extremely hot and humid as temperatures continue into the high 90’s. Minimal cloud coverage, along with southerly/southwesterly winds persist. Air will remain stagnant over the region, contributing to elevated ground-level ozone concentrations, likely reaching into USG levels, throughout southern Connecticut.
Where We Stand and Health Impacts
Connecticut suffers from some of the worst air quality in the United States. In 2024, air quality in Connecticut exceeded the federal health-based standards for ozone (smog) on 23 days, putting vulnerable populations (children, seniors, people with respiratory illnesses, and adults who are active outdoors) at risk. Air pollution is linked to respiratory conditions such as asthma and can be a major driver of health care costs: according to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, in 2023, Connecticut incurred nearly $120 million in acute care charges due to asthma as a primary diagnosis.
Stay connected and access the daily AQI forecast and real-time air quality data
- Follow us on Twitter
- Sign up to get Air-Quality alerts through Enviroflash
- Visit DEEP’s AQI webpage or call 800-249-1234
- Go to EPA’s AIRNow web page
- Download EPA’s AIRnow app for your phone
Ozone Monitoring Season
DEEP monitors, tracks and forecasts daily air quality levels across Connecticut for ozone from May 1st through September 30th each year and for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) each day of the year. On April 30, 2024, DEEP began informing Connecticut’s regulated community and the general public of the ozone season via the State of Connecticut E-mail list serve and posting air quality forecasts on the DEEP web page, available here.
DEEP encourages daycare providers, summer camps and elder/senior centers to subscribe to the Air Quality Index (AQI). Subscribing to the AQI is fast and easy and will provide you with important information each day about Connecticut’s air quality through the spring and summer. The AQI link provides facts and information regarding ground-level ozone, its’ health effects, what to do on high ozone days, and most importantly what you can do to help reduce ground level ozone in your backyard.- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
- Facebook: DEEP on Facebook
Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110