Harmful Air Quality In Forecast For Philly Region

PHILADELPHIA — Environmental officials in Pennsylvania are warning Philadelphia-area residents of potentially harmful air quality Tuesday.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said Tuesday will be an air quality action day due to Code Orange conditions expected in the afternoon.

The code orange status is due to increased levels of ozone in the region that are being bolstered by smoke from Canadian wildfires.

This map shows information that can help protect your health from wildfire smoke.

Young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems — such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis — are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities Tuesday, the department said.

Sensitive individuals are urged to limit outdoor activity during the late morning and afternoon hours.

Tuesday's forecast calls for mostly sunny skies with heat indices approaching 105

Particulate matter concentrations will rise to mid-moderate Tuesday, as well.

Intense heat will continue Wednesday, with any convection holding off until late day or evening as a cold front approaches. Both ozone and fine particle concentrations will remain in the moderate range, with the possibility of another code orange ozone day.

Temperatures will turn much cooler Thursday, with a cold front just south of the Philadelphia region and a wave of low pressure riding along it. Thursday's forecast features mostly cloudy skies with showers or a thunderstorm.

Ozone levels will decrease to the good range with the cloud cover and cooler air, but particulate matter might still remain moderate. High pressure of Canadian origin will bring less humid air into the area Friday into Saturday, with sunshine most of the time. Ozone levels will remain in the good range, while particulate matter will have to be monitored depending on how much smoke might be transported into the area on the northerly flow.

The public is encouraged to help reduce ozone pollution by:

• Driving less by carpooling or using public transportation;
• Combining errands to reduce vehicle trips;
• Limiting engine idling;
• Refueling cars and trucks after dusk; and
• Conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature and turning off lights that are not in use.

Reducing fine particulate matter (PM-2.5) pollution in the air can be aided by:

• Limiting or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use;
• Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials; and
• Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.