Code Orange air quality alert today for Birmingham area
Another Code Orange air quality alert is in place for Friday for the Birmingham metro area.
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management, ADEM, has issued the alert for Jefferson and Shelby counties for Friday.
Hot temperatures and light winds could combine to raise ozone concentrations to levels that could pose problems for those with respiratory conditions or children.
The general public is not expected to be affected.
According to AirNow.gov, a nearby area of high pressure will cause the air to sink across the region, keeping those potentially hazardous pollutants closer to the ground.
High temperatures today are expected to reach well into the 90s in the Birmingham metro area:
It’s going to be hot — even for mid-June — in Alabama on Friday. Above are the forecast high temperatures for Friday. Saturday and Sunday could even be hotter, according to forecasters.National Weather Service
Some recommendations for air quality alert days from ADEM:
* Conserve electricity and set your air conditioner at a higher temperature.
* Limit driving and combine errands.
* Avoid use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
* Refuel vehicles after 6 p.m.
* Limit engine idling.
* Use household, workshop, and garden chemicals in ways that keep evaporation to a minimum, or try to avoid them when poor air quality is forecast.
* If breathing becomes difficult, move indoors.
For more information on what to do on an air quality alert day, visit the Environmental Protection Agency at airnow.gov.