Code Orange Air Quality Declared For Tuesday In Philadelphia Region

PHILADELPHIA — With more wildfire smoke hitting the Philadelphia region, officials have declared a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Tuesday.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said the air in the five-county Philadelphia region Tuesday will be unhealthy for sensitive groups due to elevated particulate matter in the air.

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However, the next 24 hours will include periods when particulate matter will rise to code red, officials said.

A red code means the air will be unhealthy for all.

Wednesday's air is expected to lead to a Yellow Air Quality Action Day.

As for Tuesday, officials said while particulate matter concentrations might drop a little during the afternoon and evening hours Tuesday, higher morning particulate matter levels will offset any late day decrease.

Skies will be partly sunny through the smoke, with scattered thunder possible late in the afternoon and evening as a cold front approaches, which should aid in lowering smoke levels.

Smoke is expected to disperse further into the latter part of the week, but with moderate particulate matter still likely, officials said.

The air quality will be in the upper good to lower moderate range late this week, but the fires in western Canada continue.