MD Weather: Air Quality Alert For 'Moist' Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer in Maryland. But it may not be time to lay in the sun just yet. In fact, if you have asthma or other breathing issues, you may just want to stay inside to avoid the rain and an air quality alert for climbing pollution levels.

An air quality alert has been issued for all Maryland on Friday, then showers and thunderstorms are expected Saturday through Monday. The words "moist" and "muggy" figure prominently in the regional forecast by The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang.

The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert Friday for
the Baltimore/Washington metro areas. The alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors. (See forecast below).

"As the atmospheric moisture increases, so do our chances for showers and storms. If you can remain nimble and flexible with a few downpours you should be able to fit in the majority of your outdoor plans this holiday weekend," the Weather Gang writes.

While people in Maryland will have to dodge showers and thunderstorms from Saturday to Memorial Day, the holiday weekend will not be a complete washout, according to an AccuWeather release.

Showers will riddle the area over the holiday weekend with storm chances ranging from 50 to 70 percent Saturday through Monday, but people should plan on the idea that most of the time will be rain-free, according to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams.

Downpours, however, may force people attending cookouts, parades, memorial services and other holiday activities to run for cover on occasion, according to the release.

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Following widely scattered storms on Saturday, downpours will increase from Saturday night to a portion of Sunday. This may prove to be the wettest period during the holiday weekend, according to the release.

During a busy weekend for outdoor activities, be sure to head inside as soon as you see dark, billowing clouds and hear thunder to avoid the risk of being struck by lightning, according to the release. Motorists traveling along area interstates should anticipate delays due to the damp conditions and increased holiday traffic.

Flight delays may occur as storms wander over the major airport hubs.

Here is the forecast:

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 6 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 7 mph.

Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Memorial Day: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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