Air Quality Alert Issued As Smoke Replaces Storms: VA, DC Weather

VIRGINIA/DC— A "code red" air quality alert has been issued for Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., on Thursday as smoke from wildfires in Canada continues to move into the area, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

A code orange alert was issued for Wednesday in the D.C. area. The new wave of smoke from the ongoing wildfires in Canada comes about three weeks after the worst air quality on record hit the D.C. area, caused by the wildfire smoke.

Under the "code red" air quality alert issued for Thursday, sensitive groups should avoid long or intensive outdoor activities and should consider moving their activities indoors. This includes older adults, children, teens and people with heart or lung disease, according to AirNow.gov.

Other people should reduce their intense outdoor activities and take more breaks on Thursday.

"Code Red levels mean the air is unhealthy for everyone. Smoke coming from wildfires in Canada is contributing to the increased levels of fine particle pollution," the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments said Wednesday.

For Friday, forecasters have issued a code orange alert, followed by a code yellow alert on Saturday.

NBC4 meteorologist Chuck Bell noted that a Northwest wind in the summer typically pushes out the heat and humidity from the D.C. area. "Not this summer, thanks to all the Canada wildfires which are sending smoke/pollution our way," Bell said Wednesday.

On Friday and into the weekend, Bell said that south winds will likely push out the smoke but will bring back the heat, humidity and storm chances.

The air quality across Northern Virginia and D.C. is not expected to be as bad as it was on June 8, when code red, purple and maroon alerts were issued. The air quality was so hazardous on June 8 that the National Zoo was closed, a White House outdoor event was pushed back to Saturday, and the Washington Nationals rescheduled that night's ball game.

READ ALSO: When Will The Smoke Clear In VA, DC? 'Code Purple' In Friday Forecast

Across Canada, 490 fires are burning, with 255 fires considered to be out of control. The small particles in wildfire smoke can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and can affect the heart and lungs, making it harder to breathe.

The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre reported Monday that more than 29,000 square miles of land, including forests, has burned across Canada since Jan. 1. Nearly a quarter of the fires burning in Canada are in Quebec, where recent rainfall has helped in firefighting efforts but has not been enough to extinguish the fires.

On unhealthy air days, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments recommends these actions to avoid further deterioration of air quality:

• Avoid lawn mowing or use an electric mower.
• Use gas or electric grills instead of charcoal.
• Fill your vehicles' gas tank after sunset.
• Take transit, carpool, or work from home.
• 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.

To check your location's current air quality, visit here: airnow.gov.

The AQI scale is as follows:

• Good/green: 0-50
• Moderate/yellow: 51-100
• Unhealthy for sensitive groups/orange: 101-150
• Unhealthy/red: 151-200
• Very unhealthy/purple: 201-300
• Hazardous/maroon: 301-500

On Friday, as the smoke moves out of the D.C. area, high temperatures are expected to reach into the upper 80s to low 90s.

"We’re more humid, too, with the potential for isolated or scattered showers and thunderstorms late Friday afternoon or evening," the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang reported Wednesday.

Over the weekend, forecasts are calling for both Saturday and Sunday to be hot and humid, with highs near 90. Both days also carry the potential for scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon and evening, the Capital Weather Gang said.

Here is a look at the National Weather Service forecast through the weekend for Northern Virginia and D.C.:

Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Light and variable wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

Friday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.

Saturday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88.

Saturday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a chance of showers after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.