SmogRank / Episodes / United States
North-eastern United States and Canada, May and June 2023
For 13 days, from 31 May to 12 June 2023, 260 cities in the United States and Canada had PM2.5 at least twice their usual for the time of year. The worst reading was Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States: 253.0 µg/m³ on 7 June, about 41× its usual 6.1.
Day by day
How it spread
Every city it reached
| City | Days | Highest | Above usual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rouyn-NorandaQuebec, Canada | 3 | 218.04 June | 44× |
| BethlehemPennsylvania, United States | 3 | 253.07 June | 41× |
| KingstonOntario, Canada | 5 | 210.07 June | 40× |
| OttawaOntario, Canada | 3 | 208.07 June | 39× |
| AllentownPennsylvania, United States | 3 | 239.07 June | 37× |
| SyracuseNew York, United States | 3 | 181.07 June | 35× |
| ElktonMaryland, United States | 5 | 185.08 June | 32× |
| ScrantonPennsylvania, United States | 3 | 215.07 June | 31× |
| ReadingPennsylvania, United States | 3 | 204.07 June | 31× |
| BellevilleOntario, Canada | 6 | 155.07 June | 30× |
| NorristownPennsylvania, United States | 4 | 202.07 June | 30× |
| BearDelaware, United States | 5 | 181.08 June | 30× |
| ChesterPennsylvania, United States | 6 | 181.07 June | 29× |
| Toms RiverNew Jersey, United States | 2 | 186.07 June | 27× |
| PennsaukenNew Jersey, United States | 4 | 204.07 June | 27× |
| YorkPennsylvania, United States | 5 | 193.08 June | 27× |
| HarrisburgPennsylvania, United States | 4 | 195.08 June | 26× |
| BridgeportConnecticut, United States | 6 | 165.07 June | 26× |
| WilmingtonDelaware, United States | 5 | 170.07 June | 26× |
| CarlislePennsylvania, United States | 4 | 160.08 June | 25× |
| LancasterPennsylvania, United States | 4 | 172.08 June | 25× |
| LebanonPennsylvania, United States | 4 | 181.07 June | 25× |
| White PlainsNew York, United States | 3 | 120.07 June | 24× |
| New CityNew York, United States | 3 | 119.07 June | 24× |
| PleasantvilleNew Jersey, United States | 6 | 148.08 June | 23× |
| New York CityNew York, United States | 4 | 170.07 June | 23× |
| BayonneNew Jersey, United States | 3 | 113.07 June | 23× |
| HolbrookNew York, United States | 3 | 115.07 June | 23× |
| NewarkDelaware, United States | 5 | 148.58 June | 22× |
| TrentonNew Jersey, United States | 2 | 170.07 June | 22× |
| Rose HillVirginia, United States | 6 | 149.08 June | 22× |
| UticaNew York, United States | 3 | 109.07 June | 22× |
| EdgewoodMaryland, United States | 2 | 126.08 June | 22× |
| New HavenConnecticut, United States | 4 | 127.07 June | 22× |
| DanburyConnecticut, United States | 3 | 130.07 June | 21× |
| State CollegePennsylvania, United States | 6 | 124.07 June | 21× |
| South VinelandNew Jersey, United States | 3 | 136.08 June | 21× |
| DoverDelaware, United States | 6 | 132.08 June | 20× |
| NewburghNew York, United States | 3 | 101.07 June | 20× |
| LindenNew Jersey, United States | 3 | 147.07 June | 20× |
| Saint CloudMinnesota, United States | 1 | 99.514 June | 20× |
| Fort LeeNew Jersey, United States | 3 | 119.07 June | 19× |
| South LaurelMaryland, United States | 2 | 116.08 June | 19× |
| Saint MichaelMinnesota, United States | 1 | 100.014 June | 19× |
| SpringfieldVirginia, United States | 6 | 128.08 June | 18× |
| Saint PaulMinnesota, United States | 2 | 105.014 June | 18× |
| BaltimoreMaryland, United States | 3 | 117.08 June | 17× |
| ElizabethNew Jersey, United States | 3 | 151.07 June | 17× |
| MinneapolisMinnesota, United States | 2 | 105.014 June | 17× |
| BlaineMinnesota, United States | 1 | 84.814 June | 17× |
| AlbanyNew York, United States | 5 | 102.07 June | 16× |
| CornwallOntario, Canada | 2 | 93.56 June | 16× |
| PatersonNew Jersey, United States | 3 | 122.07 June | 16× |
| WaterburyConnecticut, United States | 4 | 96.57 June | 16× |
| New BrunswickNew Jersey, United States | 2 | 112.08 June | 16× |
| BurnsvilleMinnesota, United States | 2 | 95.514 June | 16× |
| Apple ValleyMinnesota, United States | 2 | 84.514 June | 16× |
| RochesterNew York, United States | 4 | 88.07 June | 15× |
| WashingtonDistrict of Columbia, United States | 5 | 115.58 June | 15× |
| ShakopeeMinnesota, United States | 2 | 89.014 June | 15× |
| PittsfieldMassachusetts, United States | 3 | 80.97 June | 15× |
| AppletonWisconsin, United States | 2 | 79.84 June | 15× |
| Jersey CityNew Jersey, United States | 3 | 110.57 June | 15× |
| Hunt ValleyMaryland, United States | 3 | 98.58 June | 14× |
| New LondonConnecticut, United States | 5 | 76.58 June | 14× |
| PeterboroughOntario, Canada | 5 | 71.75 June | 14× |
| Greater SudburyOntario, Canada | 7 | 78.33 June | 14× |
| Green BayWisconsin, United States | 2 | 75.94 June | 14× |
| ScaggsvilleMaryland, United States | 3 | 109.08 June | 13× |
| AltoonaPennsylvania, United States | 3 | 73.37 June | 13× |
| EwingNew Jersey, United States | 2 | 113.08 June | 13× |
| East HamptonVirginia, United States | 5 | 88.97 June | 13× |
| HagerstownMaryland, United States | 2 | 65.88 June | 13× |
| HartfordConnecticut, United States | 4 | 74.47 June | 13× |
| BuffaloNew York, United States | 7 | 91.77 June | 13× |
| RockvilleMaryland, United States | 2 | 72.88 June | 13× |
| DuluthMinnesota, United States | 1 | 62.214 June | 12× |
| Eau ClaireWisconsin, United States | 3 | 68.15 June | 12× |
| North ChicopeeMassachusetts, United States | 3 | 61.88 June | 12× |
| CharlottesvilleVirginia, United States | 6 | 76.28 June | 11× |
| SuperiorWisconsin, United States | 1 | 58.914 June | 11× |
| ChesapeakeVirginia, United States | 5 | 78.87 June | 11× |
| WorcesterMassachusetts, United States | 3 | 53.36 June | 10× |
| SarniaOntario, Canada | 6 | 62.37 June | 9.9× |
| Port HuronMichigan, United States | 6 | 61.97 June | 9.8× |
| Fall RiverMassachusetts, United States | 5 | 47.96 June | 9.6× |
| ChathamOntario, Canada | 5 | 56.37 June | 9.5× |
| HempsteadNew York, United States | 1 | 47.36 June | 9.5× |
| GreenfieldMassachusetts, United States | 4 | 48.56 June | 9.2× |
| St. ThomasOntario, Canada | 6 | 61.27 June | 9.0× |
| TaylorMichigan, United States | 5 | 58.17 June | 8.9× |
| Lincoln ParkMichigan, United States | 8 | 63.97 June | 8.9× |
| North BayOntario, Canada | 4 | 44.19 June | 8.8× |
| MolineIllinois, United States | 2 | 49.915 June | 8.8× |
| LondonOntario, Canada | 6 | 60.07 June | 8.7× |
| ClintonIowa, United States | 1 | 56.015 June | 8.6× |
| RichmondVirginia, United States | 6 | 55.57 June | 8.5× |
| SpringfieldMassachusetts, United States | 2 | 51.48 June | 8.4× |
| YpsilantiMichigan, United States | 5 | 54.78 June | 8.4× |
| KenmoreNew York, United States | 4 | 50.07 June | 8.3× |
| DetroitMichigan, United States | 6 | 64.97 June | 8.3× |
| Shaker HeightsOhio, United States | 3 | 51.07 June | 8.2× |
| RochesterMinnesota, United States | 3 | 55.515 June | 8.2× |
| MadisonWisconsin, United States | 3 | 44.04 June | 8.0× |
| LansingMichigan, United States | 5 | 55.08 June | 8.0× |
| St. CatharinesOntario, Canada | 7 | 50.97 June | 8.0× |
| DavenportIowa, United States | 1 | 49.015 June | 7.9× |
| Iowa CityIowa, United States | 1 | 46.315 June | 7.8× |
| Fort ThomasKentucky, United States | 3 | 45.17 June | 7.8× |
| MedinaOhio, United States | 3 | 48.67 June | 7.7× |
| MontréalQuebec, Canada | 1 | 47.66 June | 7.7× |
| HopewellVirginia, United States | 6 | 44.87 June | 7.5× |
| CoventryRhode Island, United States | 3 | 37.26 June | 7.4× |
| Sault Ste. MarieOntario, Canada | 1 | 40.55 June | 7.4× |
| DublinOhio, United States | 6 | 50.87 June | 7.4× |
| DearbornMichigan, United States | 6 | 59.57 June | 7.3× |
| GahannaOhio, United States | 3 | 36.87 June | 7.2× |
| KitchenerOntario, Canada | 7 | 52.56 June | 7.2× |
| ShawiniganQuebec, Canada | 1 | 41.46 June | 7.0× |
| AndersonIndiana, United States | 6 | 43.77 June | 6.9× |
| ProvidenceRhode Island, United States | 3 | 34.66 June | 6.9× |
| WaukeshaWisconsin, United States | 3 | 43.44 June | 6.9× |
| BloomingtonIndiana, United States | 4 | 43.36 June | 6.9× |
| DorvalQuebec, Canada | 1 | 42.66 June | 6.9× |
| WaterlooIowa, United States | 2 | 51.315 June | 6.8× |
| JenisonMichigan, United States | 3 | 45.18 June | 6.8× |
| Saint-Jean-sur-RichelieuQuebec, Canada | 1 | 34.16 June | 6.8× |
| BrocktonMassachusetts, United States | 2 | 39.56 June | 6.8× |
| Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-TremblesQuebec, Canada | 1 | 38.56 June | 6.8× |
| BarrieOntario, Canada | 6 | 48.16 June | 6.7× |
| AkronOhio, United States | 5 | 48.67 June | 6.7× |
| ZionIllinois, United States | 1 | 36.54 June | 6.6× |
| South MilwaukeeWisconsin, United States | 3 | 39.74 June | 6.5× |
| ClevelandOhio, United States | 5 | 54.97 June | 6.5× |
| RaleighNorth Carolina, United States | 4 | 46.99 June | 6.3× |
| DaytonOhio, United States | 6 | 49.47 June | 6.3× |
| ElizabethtownKentucky, United States | 6 | 37.19 June | 6.3× |
| BrantfordOntario, Canada | 7 | 48.37 June | 6.2× |
| NorwoodOhio, United States | 4 | 49.87 June | 6.1× |
| Bay CityMichigan, United States | 4 | 42.77 June | 6.1× |
| MasonOhio, United States | 2 | 37.77 June | 6.1× |
| BurlingtonVermont, United States | 1 | 36.06 June | 6.0× |
| Saint MatthewsKentucky, United States | 5 | 39.515 June | 6.0× |
| JeffersontownKentucky, United States | 5 | 39.315 June | 6.0× |
| MilwaukeeWisconsin, United States | 3 | 43.94 June | 5.9× |
| CincinnatiOhio, United States | 3 | 46.27 June | 5.9× |
| Weirton HeightsWest Virginia, United States | 4 | 36.06 June | 5.9× |
| FlintMichigan, United States | 4 | 41.37 June | 5.9× |
| RutlandVermont, United States | 1 | 32.46 June | 5.9× |
| Lexington-FayetteKentucky, United States | 4 | 33.28 June | 5.8× |
| BrossardQuebec, Canada | 1 | 35.56 June | 5.8× |
| JohnstownPennsylvania, United States | 3 | 34.76 June | 5.8× |
| JeffersonvilleIndiana, United States | 6 | 43.815 June | 5.8× |
| EriePennsylvania, United States | 6 | 35.67 June | 5.7× |
| Grand RapidsMichigan, United States | 4 | 41.38 June | 5.7× |
| MiddletownOhio, United States | 6 | 52.57 June | 5.7× |
| YoungstownOhio, United States | 5 | 38.68 June | 5.6× |
| CheektowagaNew York, United States | 4 | 53.17 June | 5.5× |
| AshlandKentucky, United States | 4 | 38.57 June | 5.5× |
| RockfordIllinois, United States | 1 | 36.315 June | 5.4× |
| CantonOhio, United States | 6 | 47.38 June | 5.4× |
| Winston-SalemNorth Carolina, United States | 4 | 40.36 June | 5.4× |
| HaverhillMassachusetts, United States | 1 | 27.312 June | 5.4× |
| SpringfieldOhio, United States | 6 | 43.77 June | 5.3× |
| IndianapolisIndiana, United States | 6 | 44.87 June | 5.3× |
| KeeneNew Hampshire, United States | 1 | 26.76 June | 5.2× |
| HamiltonOntario, Canada | 6 | 41.27 June | 5.2× |
| TorontoOntario, Canada | 2 | 34.96 June | 5.2× |
| QuincyMassachusetts, United States | 2 | 27.512 June | 5.2× |
| LouisvilleKentucky, United States | 5 | 39.815 June | 5.2× |
| PainesvilleOhio, United States | 3 | 31.07 June | 5.2× |
| WarrenOhio, United States | 6 | 41.87 June | 5.2× |
| LebanonOhio, United States | 2 | 35.37 June | 5.1× |
| WilkinsburgPennsylvania, United States | 6 | 37.36 June | 5.1× |
| LowellMassachusetts, United States | 2 | 29.612 June | 5.1× |
| ClemmonsNorth Carolina, United States | 4 | 37.66 June | 5.1× |
| ColumbusIndiana, United States | 3 | 35.56 June | 5.1× |
| BensalemPennsylvania, United States | 6 | 40.56 June | 5.1× |
| DerryNew Hampshire, United States | 1 | 25.312 June | 5.1× |
| ToledoOhio, United States | 4 | 38.77 June | 5.0× |
| BloomingtonIllinois, United States | 1 | 30.64 June | 5.0× |
| White OakOhio, United States | 3 | 31.47 June | 5.0× |
| ConwaySouth Carolina, United States | 2 | 30.610 June | 4.9× |
| RoanokeVirginia, United States | 4 | 30.07 June | 4.9× |
| PittsburghPennsylvania, United States | 5 | 35.66 June | 4.9× |
| LynnMassachusetts, United States | 1 | 27.712 June | 4.9× |
| RedfordMichigan, United States | 4 | 44.07 June | 4.8× |
| BostonMassachusetts, United States | 2 | 29.612 June | 4.8× |
| KalamazooMichigan, United States | 5 | 37.76 June | 4.8× |
| PortsmouthNew Hampshire, United States | 1 | 27.112 June | 4.7× |
| South BendIndiana, United States | 3 | 33.26 June | 4.6× |
| New AlbanyIndiana, United States | 1 | 27.915 June | 4.6× |
| HernandoMississippi, United States | 4 | 33.87 June | 4.6× |
| DecaturIllinois, United States | 3 | 32.84 June | 4.6× |
| McKeesportPennsylvania, United States | 4 | 31.86 June | 4.5× |
| GranbyQuebec, Canada | 1 | 25.36 June | 4.5× |
| East Saint LouisIllinois, United States | 4 | 35.86 June | 4.4× |
| West MifflinPennsylvania, United States | 6 | 40.26 June | 4.4× |
| FishersIndiana, United States | 2 | 31.27 June | 4.4× |
| ClaytonNorth Carolina, United States | 4 | 35.89 June | 4.4× |
| PhiladelphiaPennsylvania, United States | 3 | 36.26 June | 4.3× |
| GreenvilleNorth Carolina, United States | 3 | 30.57 June | 4.3× |
| MorrisvilleNorth Carolina, United States | 5 | 34.79 June | 4.3× |
| CharlestonWest Virginia, United States | 3 | 29.08 June | 4.3× |
| SteubenvilleOhio, United States | 5 | 35.16 June | 4.2× |
| OwensboroKentucky, United States | 5 | 37.68 June | 4.2× |
| Valley StationKentucky, United States | 7 | 34.015 June | 4.2× |
| KnoxvilleTennessee, United States | 3 | 32.37 June | 4.2× |
| CaryIllinois, United States | 2 | 28.815 June | 4.2× |
| SpringdaleArkansas, United States | 2 | 39.16 June | 4.2× |
| OlatheKansas, United States | 1 | 26.26 June | 4.2× |
| Des MoinesIowa, United States | 2 | 29.56 June | 4.1× |
| Kansas CityKansas, United States | 1 | 27.56 June | 4.0× |
| LimaOhio, United States | 3 | 36.77 June | 4.0× |
| North CharlestonSouth Carolina, United States | 2 | 32.210 June | 4.0× |
| Calumet CityIllinois, United States | 2 | 30.76 June | 4.0× |
| KokomoIndiana, United States | 5 | 27.49 June | 4.0× |
| AthensGeorgia, United States | 2 | 27.310 June | 4.0× |
| East ChicagoIndiana, United States | 2 | 28.06 June | 3.9× |
| EvansvilleIndiana, United States | 4 | 31.77 June | 3.9× |
| AnkenyIowa, United States | 2 | 30.56 June | 3.9× |
| FayettevilleNorth Carolina, United States | 2 | 32.87 June | 3.9× |
| NorthbrookIllinois, United States | 1 | 26.64 June | 3.9× |
| HollandMichigan, United States | 1 | 28.66 June | 3.8× |
| LafayetteIndiana, United States | 1 | 26.46 June | 3.8× |
| SpringfieldIllinois, United States | 1 | 27.04 June | 3.8× |
| SavannahGeorgia, United States | 1 | 25.510 June | 3.8× |
| NapervilleIllinois, United States | 3 | 29.215 June | 3.7× |
| PaducahKentucky, United States | 4 | 26.59 June | 3.7× |
| HammondIndiana, United States | 2 | 28.76 June | 3.7× |
| DurhamNorth Carolina, United States | 1 | 27.29 June | 3.7× |
| ElkhartIndiana, United States | 2 | 28.26 June | 3.7× |
| AugustaGeorgia, United States | 2 | 28.410 June | 3.7× |
| Des PlainesIllinois, United States | 2 | 26.16 June | 3.7× |
| MaryvilleTennessee, United States | 1 | 28.27 June | 3.7× |
| LexingtonNorth Carolina, United States | 2 | 30.77 June | 3.7× |
| JolietIllinois, United States | 2 | 27.76 June | 3.6× |
| La CrosseWisconsin, United States | 2 | 58.95 June | 3.6× |
| TrussvilleAlabama, United States | 1 | 27.110 June | 3.6× |
| HendersonvilleTennessee, United States | 2 | 27.07 June | 3.6× |
| HuntsvilleAlabama, United States | 1 | 25.110 June | 3.6× |
| BirminghamAlabama, United States | 3 | 32.89 June | 3.6× |
| Roanoke RapidsNorth Carolina, United States | 3 | 29.39 June | 3.5× |
| Phenix CityAlabama, United States | 2 | 28.19 June | 3.5× |
| FlorenceSouth Carolina, United States | 3 | 29.79 June | 3.5× |
| GreenvilleSouth Carolina, United States | 1 | 26.47 June | 3.5× |
| LawrencevilleGeorgia, United States | 2 | 29.010 June | 3.5× |
| GreensboroNorth Carolina, United States | 1 | 27.26 June | 3.4× |
| ChattanoogaTennessee, United States | 3 | 32.09 June | 3.4× |
| CharlotteNorth Carolina, United States | 1 | 27.17 June | 3.4× |
| Saint AndrewsSouth Carolina, United States | 2 | 27.89 June | 3.3× |
| St. LouisMissouri, United States | 4 | 32.16 June | 3.3× |
| SpartanburgSouth Carolina, United States | 2 | 29.47 June | 3.2× |
| East RidgeTennessee, United States | 3 | 30.810 June | 3.2× |
| GainesvilleGeorgia, United States | 3 | 30.010 June | 3.1× |
| HueytownAlabama, United States | 1 | 25.09 June | 3.1× |
| BartlettTennessee, United States | 2 | 26.57 June | 3.0× |
| Terre HauteIndiana, United States | 2 | 30.76 June | 3.0× |
| MaconGeorgia, United States | 2 | 26.39 June | 3.0× |
| Little RockArkansas, United States | 2 | 28.67 June | 2.8× |
Daily means in µg/m³. Usual: the city's median for this time of year (its days within 21 days of the date, every year, leaving out the week around it). Above usual: its highest day against that.
Against other episodes in the United States and Canada
Number 2 of 45 episodes in the United States and Canada since our records began, by cities reached.
- North-eastern United States and Canada, June and July 2023279
- North-eastern United States and Canada, May and June 2023260
- North-eastern United States and Canada, July 2023241
- North-eastern United States and Canada, June 2023161
- North-western United States and Canada, August 2023110
- North-eastern United States and Canada, July 202375
- Western United States, September 202361
- South-eastern United States, October 202347
- North-eastern United States, July 202346
- North-western United States and Canada, May 202342
- Western United States, December 202332
- Northern United States, January 202332
Bars: cities reached; colour: the level of the episode's highest daily reading. All 45.
Use this page
SmogRank, North-eastern United States and Canada, May and June 2023: 260 cities with PM2.5 at twice their usual or more, 31 May to 12 June 2023, smogrank.com/episodes/2023-05-north-eastern-united-states-and-canada (accessed 2 October 2026).
You're welcome to reuse a single chart, image or figure with this citation and a link. Terms.
An episode is a run of days when many cities close to each other (four or more within 350 km on a day, 8 or more in all) each had a daily PM2.5 mean of at least 25 µg/m³ and at least 2 times their usual for that time of year. Found in our own measurements, not picked by hand. How we find episodes. Values are each city's daily mean of its own monitors; causes are the usual kinds for a pattern like this, not a confirmed source.