Weather Officials Warn Of Air Quality, Rip Currents In Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD — The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a code orange air quality alert for much of Maryland. The alert is effective on Monday, July 9.

The alert means that pollution concentrations may be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Children, older adults, those with lung or heart diseases and asthmatics are considered sensitive; they should avoid strenuous activity and outdoor exercise Monday to minimize the effects from the air quality, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment.

The code orange air quality alert applies to the following counties and Baltimore City:

• Anne Arundel
• Baltimore
• Calvert
• Carroll
• Cecil
• Charles
• Frederick
• Harford
• Howard
• Montgomery
• Prince George's
• St. Mary's

Temperatures are forecast to be in the 80s on Monday around the region.

For those on the Eastern Shore, weather officials advise that Maryland and Delaware beaches are at high risk of having rip currents on Monday.

From Ocean City south to Assateague and Virginia Beach, waves of 3 to 4 feet will cause rough surf conditions and pose a high risk of rip currents, which are channels of powerful water that happen most often near sandbars, jetties or piers.

"If you become caught in a rip current...relax and float," weather officials advise. "Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help."

Beachgoers should make sure to check flags and beach patrol signs before entering the water.

Map showing the air quality alert in gray courtesy of the National Weather Service.