Residents across Mecklenburg County are being urged to limit outdoor activity today after officials issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for elevated ozone levels.
The alert is in effect from 10 am to 8 pm Thursday and means air pollution could reach levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and people with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions.
According to the North Carolina Division of Air Quality, a persistent area of high pressure has created ideal conditions for ground-level ozone. Sunny skies, light winds, and little rainfall are allowing pollution to build throughout the day, especially during the afternoon and early evening.
Sensitive individuals should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity during peak hours. Residents are also encouraged to help reduce pollution by limiting driving, avoiding engine idling, conserving electricity, and walking or biking when possible.
The air quality outlook shows gradual improvement after today:
- Thursday (July 2): Green to Orange AQI, with Mecklenburg County under a Code Orange ozone alert.
- Friday (July 3): Green to Yellow AQI as ozone levels are expected to improve.
- Saturday (July 4): Code Yellow air quality is forecast across much of North Carolina, meaning moderate conditions that could still affect unusually sensitive individuals.
Forecasters say isolated afternoon thunderstorms in western North Carolina could provide localized relief by reducing ozone levels.
A Code Orange alert means air quality may pose a health risk for sensitive populations, while most healthy adults are not expected to experience significant effects.
