Air Quality Alert Issued As Temps Soar In Essex County

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — As temperatures soar in Essex County on Friday, a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Ground-Level Ozone has been issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection until midnight.

"A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups," according to the National Weather Service.

Sensitive groups include:

• children
• people suffering from asthma
• heart disease or other lung diseases
• elderly.

Residents can minimize the effects of air pollution by avoiding strenuous activity or exercising outdoors.

Here is a look at the upcoming forecast:

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind 8 to 11 mph.

Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, then showers and thunderstorms after 10 a.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 88. West wind 6 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday: A slight chance of showers between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.

Independence Day: Sunny, with a high near 86.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.