Wildfire Smoke Triggers Air Quality Alert, Storm Chances: MD Weather

MARYLAND— A "code orange" air quality alert is in effect Tuesday and Wednesday, June 6 and 7, for the Baltimore-Annapolis region as smoke from wildfires in Canada increases air pollution in the atmosphere.

The Maryland Department of the Environment issues a "code orange" alert when pollution concentrations may be unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, older adults, heart/lung disease sufferers and asthmatics are considered sensitive.

The alert includes Harford, Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties, the city of Baltimore, and all of the Eastern Shore.

"Hazy skies will remain through midweek as additional smoke pushes south from eastern Canada. A weak cold front will drop into the region this afternoon & evening with isolated thunderstorms. Most locations will remain dry with temperatures in the 70s & 80s." the National Weather Service said. The forecast calls for sunny skies and a high of 82 degrees on Wednesday.

"Numerous wildfires across Quebec may act to quickly degrade the regional air mass. Smoke from these fires will begin to push into the region beginning late Monday, with more widespread smoke entering the state Tuesday and Wednesday," the MDE said Monday. "Fine particulate levels are expected to quickly rise with high moderate to potentially (unhealthy for sensitive groups) conditions developing Tuesday and Wednesday. Some questions still remain in terms of the extent and exact positioning of the thickest smoke plumes over these few days."

Eastern areas of the state may be most affected, the Maryland Department of the Environment said, with 24-hour average particle pollution concentrations are most likely to push above the unhealthy threshold. Winds from the north will continue Wednesday and Thursday, causing a potential for increased smoke concentrations and additional unhealthy conditions.

After Tuesday night, the forecast doesn't have any rain chances until Sunday.

Here's the Maryland weather forecast:

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Widespread haze. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Northwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. North wind 6 to 9 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Tips For Coping With Poor Air Quality

On unhealthy air days, authorities suggest these health precautions:

• Children and older adults should reduce outdoor activities.
• Healthy individuals should limit strenuous work or exercise, especially outdoors.
• Individuals with respiratory and heart ailments, emphysema, asthma, or chronic bronchitis should limit their activity level. If breathing becomes difficult, move indoors.

On unhealthy air days, residents are encouraged to take steps to help reduce pollution:

• Turn off lights and electronics when not in use and follow tips from your electric utility about how to use less electricity to cool your home.
• Avoid lawn mowing or use an electric mower.
• Use mass transit, carpool, or work from home to limit driving. Fill up your gas tank during evening hours.

For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles visit the Maryland Department of the Environment's air quality page.