After a sunny and pleasant late summer weekend, mother nature is dialing up the heat and the air pollution today.
A Code Orange air quality alert is in effect today due to both ground-level ozone and more Canadian wildfire smoke wafting down to the D.C. area. That’s on top of a predicted high temperature of 95.
The air quality in Arlington County has crossed into “Code Red” levels.
The county’s Air Quality Index (AQI), according to the federal government’s AirNow.gov website, was 151 as of 3 p.m., just past the 150 threshold for Code Red. That comes as a new round of Canadian wildfire smoke wafts into the area.
It’s been another smoky day in Arlington, and the air quality is still considered “unhealthy” as the workday nears a close.
The Air Quality Index registered at 177 as of 4 p.m. Thursday, solidly in the “Code Red” level.
The concentration of Canadian wildfire smoke in Arlington and the D.C. area is expected to get worse tomorrow.
A Code Red air quality alert has been issued for the region on Thursday. That means that those with certain health issues should avoid outdoor activities and even healthy individuals should limit their time outside.
The bulk of today’s storms are moving out — and more Canadian wildfire smoke is about to move in.
The smoke that enveloped Chicago and much of the Midwest today is set to push east toward our region. That has prompted a Code Orange air quality alert for the D.C. area tomorrow (Wednesday).
The air quality in Arlington has reached the worst level on the scale — “hazardous.”
As of 9 a.m. the federal government website AirNow says Arlington’s AQI, or air quality index, is 313. That puts the county in “Code Maroon” territory, two levels above the more commonly known Code Red.
Update at 9:30 a.m. — The air quality has worsened and entered the “Code Maroon” — or “hazardous” — category.
Update at 8:50 a.m. — Air quality in Arlington has reached well into the Code Purple “Very Unhealthy” category, with an AQI of 276. All locals should avoid spending time outside if possible or wear an N95 or similar mask.
(Updated at noon) Air quality measurements have exceeded Code Red levels in the D.C. area, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
It’s no surprise to anyone who can see and smell the smoke outside. The thick haze has been wafting into the region from the north, amid severe wildfires in Canada.
Updated at 9:45 a.m. — The Code Orange alert has been changed to a Code Red alert.
Wednesday is forecast to be a “Code Orange” day in Arlington and across the D.C. area.
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Air Quality Warning Today — “The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert Thursday for Northern Virginia. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups.” [National Weather Service]
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Air Quality Alert Today — “The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments… has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert Thursday for the DC metro area. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly.” [National Weather Service]
