MD Weekend Weather: Code Orange Air Quality Alert

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 Friday, Aug. 10. The alert means that pollution concentrations may be unhealthy for sensitive groups. And a soggy weekend forecast means the air quality will improve.

Code orange means pollution concentrations may become unhealthy for certain people. Children, older adults, and people with heart/lung disease or asthma may be particularly affected. To minimize the effects from the air quality, they should avoid strenuous activity and outdoor exercise Friday, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment, which issued the air quality alert.

Slightly above average temperatures, light winds, and a decent amount of sunshine through partial cloud cover will allow ozone to rise well into the moderate range. An upper level disturbance begins to get organized Saturday. Precipitation may not be constant, but remains possible through the day. The precipitation and associated cloud cover will keep ozone in check, resulting in good air quality for the region. The upper-level system begins to depart on Sunday, but not before provided another day of good air quality, says the MDE.

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

• Baltimore
• Carroll
• Anne Arundel
• Harford
• Howard

Here's the weekend forecast:

Friday: Isolated showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Light and variable wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday Night: Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming northeast around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

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