Air & climate hazards
Daily air-quality readings, active-wildfire incidents, NWS heat advisories, and statewide weather warnings — the atmospheric-hazard view of New Jersey today. Pulls live from EPA AirNow, NIFC, and the National Weather Service.
New Jersey Air Quality Index (AQI)
Source: AirNow (EPA · Open-Meteo) · live via /api/aqi
Live AQI readings for New Jersey cities. EPA color-coded health categories and outdoor activity guidance.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a 0–500 scale set by the EPA. 0–50 is Good (everyone is safe outdoors), 51–100 is Moderate (sensitive groups should consider limits), 101–150 is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (kids, seniors, asthma), 151+ is Unhealthy for everyone. New Jersey AQI is usually Good or Moderate, but spikes during wildfire-smoke events and summer ozone days.
- AQI > 100: limit prolonged outdoor exertion if you have asthma, COPD, or heart disease.
- AQI > 150: keep windows closed, run AC, avoid outdoor exercise.
- AQI > 200: stay indoors, use an HVAC filter rated MERV 13+ or a HEPA purifier.
- Subscribe to EPA EnviroFlash for free email alerts: https://www.enviroflash.info/
New Jersey Active Wildfires — Live NIFC Map
Source: National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) · state forestry / DNR · live via /api/wildfires
Live map of active wildfires across New Jersey from the National Interagency Fire Center. See fire size, containment, and DNR fire-danger by region.
The U.S. averages roughly 60,000 wildfires per year. Most start small — escaped debris burns, lightning, equipment sparks — but heavy fuel loads and dry, windy weather can turn any of them into a major incident in hours. Smoke can drift hundreds of miles from a single large fire and degrade air quality far from the burn area.
- Before any outdoor burning, check your state forestry / DNR fire-danger map and your county's burn permit rules.
- Get a burn permit (often free) from your local state forestry / DNR office if conditions allow.
- If you see smoke or flame, call 911 immediately — early reports save acres.
- If smoke drifts to your area, check the AQI panel and limit outdoor exertion when AQI > 100.
New Jersey Heat Advisories — Excessive Heat Warnings & Cooling Centers
Source: National Weather Service (NWS) · CDC HeatRisk · 211 · live via /api/alerts
Live NWS heat advisories and excessive heat warnings for New Jersey. Cooling center locations, heat-safety guidance, and at-risk groups.
NWS issues a Heat Advisory when the Heat Index (temperature + humidity) is forecast to reach 100°F+ for 2+ hours, or an Excessive Heat Warning at 105°F+. Most U.S. heat advisories happen between June and September, though the timing varies by region. Heat is the #1 weather-related killer in the U.S. — more than tornadoes, floods, or cold.
- Drink water before you're thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine on hot days.
- Never leave kids or pets in a parked car — interior temps hit 125°F+ within 10 minutes.
- Find a cooling center: dial 2-1-1 anywhere in the U.S. — your local 211 partner has a current list.
- Check on elderly neighbors at least twice on hot days — heat stroke can develop within 30 minutes.
New Jersey NWS Weather Alerts — Warnings, Watches & Advisories
Source: National Weather Service (NWS) · state forecast offices · live via /api/alerts
Live National Weather Service warnings, watches, and advisories active in New Jersey right now. Tornado, severe thunderstorm, winter storm, flood, and air-quality alerts.
The NWS issues three urgency levels: Advisory (inconvenient, e.g. dense fog), Watch (favorable conditions, take action soon), and Warning (event imminent or occurring, take protective action now). Every state is served by one or more NWS forecast offices that issue local alerts for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, floods, winter storms, and air-quality events.
- Tornado Warning: go to lowest interior room, away from windows, kneel down and cover your head.
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning: get inside; lightning is the #1 killer in summer thunderstorms.
- Winter Storm Warning: avoid travel; if you must drive, keep blankets and food in the car.
- Get free phone alerts: enable Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) in Settings → Notifications.