Metro Atlanta Under Code Orange Air Quality Alert

KENNESAW, GA — Following the past few days of high temperatures and heavy humidity, now a Code Orange Air Quality Alert has been issued for metro Atlanta on Thursday.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, has issued a Code Orange (unhealthy for sensitive groups) Air Quality Alert for Atlanta for Aug. 15.

Under Code Orange conditions, the outdoor air quality is likely to be unhealthy for some people. Children, people who are sensitive to ozone, and people with heart or lung disease should limit prolonged outdoor exertion during the late afternoon or early evening when ozone concentrations are highest.

The AQI focuses on health effects you may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air.

EPA calculates the AQI for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. For each of these pollutants, EPA has established national air quality standards to protect public health.

Ground-level ozone and airborne particles are the two pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health in this country.

Additionally, a Hazardous Weather Outlook has also been issued for portions of North and Central Georgia.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected across central and portions of eastern Georgia, mainly this afternoon and evening. A few storms will be strong with gusty winds, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning and very heavy rain.

Heat index values will range between 100 and 105 degrees across much of central and portions of eastern Georgia Thursday afternoon and into the early evening. High heat and humidity may cause heat stress during outdoor exertion or extended exposure.

The Heat Index is a measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature, the NWS said.

Scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms are expected Friday and Saturday across central and eastern Georgia. Scattered, mainly afternoon and evening, thunderstorms are expected across north and central Georgia Sunday through Wednesday. Some storms could be strong with gusty winds, heavy rain and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning.

This rest of week's forecast includes:

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Thursday night
Clear, with a low around 71. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Saturday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 73.

Sunday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91