Air Quality Alert and Beach Hazards Statement for May 2nd
Temperatures are going to be in the lower 70's today, Wednesday, May 2nd for Downeast Maine. With that, the National Weather Service in Caribou has issued a Beach Hazards Statement from 8AM through tonight and an Air Quality Alert from 11AM to 11PM.
A Beach Hazard Statement is issued on days when a significant number of boats and paddlecraft are expected to be out on the water and when warm air temperatures may cause people to underestimate the danger of the cold water. Today, temperatures are expected to be in the lower 70's but water temperatures are only in the lower to mid 40's!
The Beach Hazards Statement includes Acadia National Park, Schoodic Point Peninsula, Lamoine Beach, Castine, Roque Bluffs State Park and Quoddy Head State Park.
The Air Quality Alert is in effect from 11AM to 11PM for Coastal and Interior Hancock, Central Washington and Central and Southern Penobscot, as well as Central and Southern Piscataquis Counties.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risks of negative health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, the elderly and those with pre-existing respiratory problems like asthma or heart disease.
There is s a toll-free air quality hotline and it is 1-800-223-1196