Air Quality Alert Issued For Baltimore Metro Area Monday

An air quality alert is in effect for the Baltimore metro area and Cecil County Monday, Aug. 10.

Baltimore City and Baltimore County are among those under the "code orange" air quality alert, meaning air pollution concentrations may become unhealthy for sensitive groups including children; older adults; and people with respiratory or heart ailments.

To minimize the effects of air pollution on their health, people in sensitive groups should avoid strenuous activities, such as outdoor exercise.

The code orange air quality alert applies to Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Harford and Howard counties.

Temperatures Monday are expected to reach the low 90s but will feel like 98 degrees from 1 to 4 p.m.

Here is the forecast for the Baltimore area, according to the National Weather Service:

• Monday: Sunny, with a high near 92 and low around 73. There's a 20 percent chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m.
• Tuesday: Patchy fog from 3 to 9 a.m. Otherwise mostly sunny, with a high near 91 and low around 74. There's a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms from 2 to 9 p.m.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91 and low near 74. There's a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly from 2 to 8 p.m.
• Thursday: Showers likely, with a 70 percent chance of thunderstorms after 8 a.m. High near 89 and low around 73.
• Friday: Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85.

The Maryland Department of the Environment issued the code orange air quality alert. See more information on its air quality monitoring program or call 410-537-3000.