Code Orange air quality alert issued for Mecklenburg, other counties Saturday
The state issued a Code Orange air quality alert until 8 p.m. Saturday for Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Rowan counties.
The warning means older adults, children, active people and those with asthma and other lung disease “should limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors,” according to the N.C. Division of Air Quality.
Blame a high-pressure weather system over North Carolina that produced “another warm and dry day with plenty of sunshine,” Jordan Root of the Division of Air Quality wrote in a Code Orange bulletin.
“All the ingredients are there again for another active ozone day,” including a warm and dry air mass and lots of sun, he said.
“Ground Level Ozone concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards,” according to a National Weather Service warning.
Charlotte forecast
After an expected high of 89 on Saturday, highs could climb to 91 on Sunday and 90 on Monday under partly sunny to mostly cloudy skies, according to the NWS Charlotte forecast.
Each day Tuesday through Friday has a less-than-even chance of showers and thunderstorms, the forecast Saturday showed.
NWS meteorologists forecast highs of 86 on Tuesday, 88 on Wednesday, 92 on Thursday and 94 on Friday.