Air Quality Alert Issued For Northern VA Plus Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, DC — With temperatures expected to climb close to 90 degrees, air quality in the Washington-Baltimore metro area on Thursday may be unhealthy for people with some health conditions, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency posted a code orange air quality alert for several Virginia cities, counties and the District of Columbia.

Under "code orange," air pollution concentrations may be hazardous for children, people with asthma, those suffering from heart disease, people with lung disease and older adults.

To avoid the affects of air pollution, residents should avoid strenuous activity and steer clear of exercising outside, weather officials advise.

The air quality alert applies to the following: the District, Loudoun, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, and Alexandria.

See the air quality forecast from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for more information.

The metropolitan Washington region recorded its first Code Orange for the year on Wednesday.

On unhealthy air days, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments suggests these health precautions:

• Children and older adults should reduce outdoor activities.
• Healthy individuals should limit strenuous work or exercise, especially outdoors.
• Residents with respiratory and heart ailments, emphysema, asthma, or chronic bronchitis should limit their activity level. If breathing becomes difficult, move indoors.

Residents can check current air quality conditions on COG's website or by downloading a free air quality app from Clean Air Partners.

On unhealthy air days, COG advises area residents to:

• Turn off lights and electronics when not in use and follow tips from your electric utility about how to use less electricity to cool your home.
• Avoid lawn mowing or use an electric mower.
• Telework, limit driving. Fill up your gas tank during evening hours.

The forecast from the National Weather Service calls for summer heat to move in by the weekend.

Thursday: A slight chance of showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Light and variable wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind 3 to 7 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 3 to 6 mph.

Friday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.