DC area’s poor air quality persists Friday, PM storms could help clear the haze
A "Code Red" air quality alert persists in the D.C. area early Friday, meaning smoke from the Canadian wildfires is making the air unhealthy for everyone in the national capital region.
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A “Code Red” air quality alert persists in the D.C. area early Friday, meaning smoke from the Canadian wildfires is continuing to make the air unhealthy for everyone in the national capital region.
Under the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow rating system, sensitive groups including children, older adults and anyone with heart or lung disease should avoid long or intense outdoor activities during a “Code Red” day. Everyone else is advised to reduce long or intense outdoor activities.
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments forecasts air quality will improve to “Code Orange” for much of the day Friday, under which sensitive groups are still advised to take extra caution during outdoor activities.
“You’ll still want to take it a bit easy out there if you’re doing anything strenuous — the long run, that can hold off until maybe the weekend,” 7News First Alert Chief Meteorologist Veronica Johnson said.
Air pollution is measured by the air quality index, and current readings are available on the EPA’s AirNow website. Code Red falls between an index value of 151 and 200, while Code Orange falls between 101 and 150.
The poor air quality is a result of out-of-control Canadian wildfires and the weather patterns throughout the United States.
Earlier this month, the D.C. area was under a rare “Code Purple” alert, meaning the air was very unhealthy.
Some isolated storms are also in the forecast Friday, with some of them strong to severe, according to Johnson, who said the biggest threat will be for the Shenandoah and Western Maryland regions. Those storms, combined with a southeast wind, should improve the air quality, according to 7News First Alert Meteorologist Jordan Evans.
As for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Johnson said to expect hot, sticky and occasionally stormy conditions.
Forecast
FRIDAY: Partly sunny with an isolated afternoon thunderstorm, possibly strong to severe. Highs in the upper 80s to 90, with a heat index in the lower 90s and southeastern winds going 10 mph
FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Highs in the 60s to low 70s.
SATURDAY: Partly sunny with an isolated afternoon thunderstorm. Highs in the upper 80s, with a heat index in the low 90s and southeastern winds between five and 10 mph.
SUNDAY: Hot and humid. Chance for rain and storms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s.
Current weather
WTOP’s Tadiwos Abedje contributed to this report.
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Source: WTOP
