Severe Thunderstorm Watch; Air Quality Alert Issued For DC Region

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for parts of Northern Virginia. The watch went into effect at 11:55 a.m. on Wednesday and extends through 8 p.m.

The following localities are included in the watch:

• Arlington County
• City of Alexandria
• City of Fairfax
• Fairfax County
• City of Falls Church
• Loudoun County
• City of Manassas
• City of Manassas Park
• Prince William County

In addition, a Code Orange Air Quality Alert is also in effect on Wednesday for the D.C. metro region. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, along with environmental quality departments in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia issued the alert due to smoke from the fires in Oregon.

Under Code Orange, residents who are sensitive to air pollution and poor air quality, such as children, the elderly, and people with heart disease, asthma, or other lung conditions, are advised to minimize strenuous activities outdoors.

Target areas for the air quality alert include: Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria; Eastern Loudoun; Fairfax; Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park; and Western Loudoun.

The region’s #airquality is forecast to reach Code Orange - Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups tomorrow. Wildfires in Canada & Western U.S. are contributing to unhealthy air. Check conditions at https://t.co/vujQarGehK & download the @CleanAirPartner app at https://t.co/nqkGkZIfml pic.twitter.com/mfXL4SdLEj
— COG (@MWCOG) July 20, 2021