FNN Weather Update – Friday, July 17, 2026. (Click on images provided by Lonny Frost © July 16, 2026, to enlarge for easier viewing).
There have been changes made for the weather on Friday, July 17th and it deals with Air Quality concerns.
An Air Quality Alert remains in effect throughout Friday and Friday evening for the following Pennsylvania counties; Adams, Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Cambria, Cameron, Clearfield, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Elk, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, McKean, Mifflin, Montour, Northern & Southern Centre, Northern & Southern Clinton, Northern & Southern Lycoming, Northumberland, Perry, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Warren, and York.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued a Code PURPLE Air Quality Alert Thursday afternoon.
The Code Purple is from the Air Quality Index (AQI). It means air quality has reached “very unhealthy” levels. It also means that at this stage, the air quality IS NOT GOOD FOR ANYONE. In fact, everyone is at risk of experiencing health effects like coughing or breathing difficulties. Children, older adults, and those with respiratory or heart conditions should avoid all outdoor activities, while everyone else should strictly limit prolonged exertion outside.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has also issued a Code PURPLE Air Quality Alert for all of central Pennsylvania for Friday, July 17th. In fact, the whole state of Pennsylvania will be under a Code Purple for Friday, July 17th. (As with anything dealing with weather, things can change without much warning).
Wildfire smoke from northern Minnesota and south central Canada will continue to result in unhealthy air quality during this predicted time frame for Friday. The alert is expected to be lifted at midnight on Saturday morning.
Everyone should limit outdoor strenuous activity and exercise due to poor air quality. Sensitive groups should avoid all outdoor activity.
Children, the elderly, and those individuals suffering from heart disease, asthma, or other lung diseases should not go outside for any length of time.
For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles, visit
www.airnow.gov, and www.aqpartners.state.pa.us.
