Air Quality Alert Again In NoVA, DC As Heat, Humidity Linger

VIRGINIA — An air quality alert is in effect for sensitive groups as heat and humidity on Wednesday in the District and Northern Virginia combine to make conditions uncomfortable, while rain chances are in the forecast daily through the end of the week.

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. Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Arlington, Falls Church and Alexandria are included in the alert.

The alert means 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.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments issued the Code Orange air quality for the metropolitan Washington region through Thursday, July 6. On Wednesday and Thursday, ground-level ozone is expected to cause the unhealthy air quality.

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 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 Northern Virginia and DC, according to the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 2pm and 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Light northeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast 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 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. 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 50%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. 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 84. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 60%.