Why EGLE issued air quality advisory for parts of southeast Michigan

Candice Williams, The Detroit News on Feb 16, 2026

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DETROIT — The state environmental department has issued an air quality advisory for several Southeast Michigan counties just as the weather warms up due to higher concentrations of fine particle pollution in the air from snow thawing.

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy said pollution levels are expected to range from moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups through noon Monday.

The advisory includes Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, Washtenaw, Monroe and St. Clair counties.

The recent weather warmup is contributing to the alert, according to the advisory. Temperatures above 50 degrees have sped up snowmelt, and as the snow melts, it releases “trapped particulate matter” into the air.

"Light winds throughout today will decrease atmospheric dispersion which will allow for these concentrations to stagnate until winds pick up," the advisory said Sunday.

Winds are expected to increase Monday afternoon. State officials said they will review conditions Monday morning and decide if the advisory will need to be extended.

Sensitive groups include children, older adults, pregnant people and those with respiratory conditions and heart disease.