Air Quality Alert Again In MD As Heat, Humidity Linger

MARYLAND — An air quality alert is in effect for sensitive groups as heat and humidity on Wednesday in Maryland combine to make conditions uncomfortable, and forecasters say more rain chances are in the forecast through the end of the week.

The Maryland Department of Environmental Protection issued a “Code Orange” air quality action day for ozone Wednesday in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., metropolitan areas, as levels are expected to rise to levels unhealthy for sensitive groups.

A "code orange" air quality alert is in effect Wednesday, July 5, for the DC region as smoke from fireworks increases air pollution in the atmosphere. Montgomery, Howard and Prince George's counties are included in the alert.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has forecast Code Orange air quality for the metropolitan Washington region through Thursday, July 6. Smoke from fireworks is expected to contribute to increased levels of fine particle pollution. On Wednesday and Thursday, ground-level ozone is expected to cause the unhealthy air quality.

The Code Orange levels mean the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, older adults, heart/lung disease sufferers and asthmatics are considered sensitive. They should make outdoor activities shorter and less intense and watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.

Residents can check current air quality conditions on COG's website or AirNow.gov.

Wednesday’s forecast calls for partly to mostly sunny skies in the Baltimore-DC region, a humid day with highs ranging from the upper 80s to low 90s, and dew points, said the National Weather Service.

Here's the forecast through the weekend for Maryland, according to the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 2pm and 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southeast wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 60%.