The cloud of air-polluted smog is set to ease today, much to the relief of asthma sufferers.
Huddersfield, along with the rest of the UK, has been under a potentially dangerous cloud of air pollution for the last few days.
However, a change of wind direction last night brought in fresher air from the Atlantic in the north. This started to push away the smog, lowering pollution levels over the town.
The pollution warning was expected to be lifted by this afternoon and Salendine Nook weatherman Paul Stevens said he expected to see “a substantial improvement” in Huddersfield’s air quality today.
Yesterday the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), described the air quality index as four out of 10 in the Colne Valley and Meltham areas, increasing to index five for Deighton, Paddock, Birchencliffe, Honley, Huddersfield, and Brighouse.
The smog was a result of the Scandinavian high pressure system which moved into the UK, combined with light easterly winds.
Air containing pollutants from industry on the Continent moved in and was unable to escape upwards into the atmosphere.
This was due to the high pressure which created inversion, with warmer air above the cooler air, effectively trapping the smog over the land.
Asthma UK said: “When air pollution is high it’s vital people with respiratory conditions carry their reliever inhaler with them at all times, and ensure that they are taking their preventer inhaler every day.”
