NORTH CAROLINA -- Rising temperatures on Saturday will lead to the first Air Quality Alert for parts of North Carolina this year.
- Code Orange air quality for Charlotte and Triangle areas as we start the weekend
- Code Orange means the persons with respiratory issues, and others, may develop serious health problems if they remain outside too long
- More poor air quality days will likely occur as temperatures continue to rise
The combination of temperatures running well above average for the middle of May and light winds, will set the Charlotte and Triangle areas up for Code Orange air quality as we start the weekend.
Code Orange means the persons with respiratory issues, and others, may develop serious health problems if they remain outside too long.
Other groups that could be affected by a Code Orange air quality day include children, active people, older adults and those with heart and lung disease. Everyone should limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
From the North Carolina Air Quality Forecast Center:
"Air pollution irritates the lungs and respiratory system, and can even affect the heart. Air pollution can make asthma worse, trigger asthma attacks, or cause the onset of asthma. Even healthy people can have trouble taking deep breaths on “bad air” days, and can experience damage to lung tissues. Repeated damage, especially during childhood, can reduce lung function permanently. Particle pollution, a type of air pollution, has been linked to serious cardiac problems including arrhythmias and heart attacks."
As we continue into the summer season, more poor air quality days will likely occur, as temperatures continue to rise.
You can get your air quality forecast daily by watching Weather on the Ones on Spectrum News.