Falling temperatures bring rising pollution
By Connor Dixon on November 26, 2025
Based on statistics from The Weather Network a chill is in the air, it is growing fast, and that isn’t the only thing in the air. Today has the lowest daily temperature average so far this fall, coming in at negative seven degrees celsius. Temperatures are only going to continue to drop over the course of the rest of this month, with temperatures in the negatives getting down to minus nine, ten, and even as low as -12℃, bundling up and staying inside is going to become the favoured response as we venture closer and closer to the winter season.
With the drop in temperatures, also comes a drop in the quality of our city’s air. The colder, drier winter air stays lower to the ground then warm summer air does, and it traps pollutants with it. A recent air quality warning from the Government of Canada places the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) at a 9/10, indicating high risk of lung, mouth and throat irritation for the average Edmontonian.
When breathing in the cold air, be conscious of what else you might be breathing in, and be sure to take the proper precautions. Wear a mask, limit time outside, and pay close attention to the AQHI for further updates. Stay safe, stay warm, breathe easy.