With various air quality indexes available, and as wildfire smoke becomes an increasing health risk, here’s what often goes into the decision to play sports or not — and how to make sense of air quality indexes when making your own decision.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the State Department of Health have issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for Eastern Lake Ontario, Western New York, and other regions in New York.

This week in the Boston Globe Weather Mailbag, Globe Weather HQ tackles questions surrounding summer thunderstorm frequency, the best weather reporting station, air quality categories, and the HAARP model, most commonly used in Aurora forecasting.

The heat warning issued last Friday for the Ottawa-Gatineau region should last until Thursday night, according to Environment Canada. Special air quality statements also linger Tuesday in western Quebec.

Officials have issued an air quality alert for around 10 million Americans, telling them to minimize outdoor activities and shut all windows on Tuesday. A National Weather Service (NWS) map shows parts of Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, New York ...