Air Quality Alert Issued For Ocean County This Weekend

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — An air quality alert has been issued for Ocean County for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) declared June 21, 22 and 23 an "Air Quality Action Day for Ozone" in Southeastern Burlington and Ocean counties.

"Mostly sunny skies, oppressive heat and humidity, and light winds out of the southwest will create a favorable environment for ozone levels to remain in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) category statewide, with the exception of coastal southern New Jersey," the DEP said.

Sensitive groups, including young children, elderly populations and those with respiratory diseases like asthma should avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the afternoon and evening hours this weekend, officials said.

There will be little relief from elevated ozone levels until Monday, when showers and thunderstorms are expected to return those levels to the low moderate category.

Here's the latest forecast for Ocean County, according to the National Weather Service:

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 95. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 104. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.