ATLANTA FORECAST
Today: Smoky and sunny. 68
Tonight: Patchy smoke. Low: 45
Tomorrow: Smoky and sunny. High: 72
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
That familiar haze clouding the sky could be with us for days, metro Atlanta.
Smoky conditions from North Georgia wildfires are expected to linger into Wednesday before a shift in wind direction could bring some relief Thursday, according to Channel 2 Action News.
On the bright side, the air quality improved some Tuesday. By 4 p.m., a less severe code yellow alert had replaced the earlier code red and orange that was with metro Atlanta most of the morning Tuesday.
A code red means everyone could experience adverse health effects due to “unhealthy” air quality, and a code orange alert applies only to sensitive groups such as those with respiratory issues — according to AirNow, a website that measures how clean or polluted air is.
The Air Quality Index was 90 in metro Atlanta at 9 p.m.
“Certainly avoid exercising or strenuous activities outdoors this afternoon,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brad Nitz said. “Spend some time inside through the day.”
The air quality issues are in large part due to smoke from wildfires burning in the North Georgia mountains, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and as near as Cobb County.
RELATED: Wildfires burn in North Georgia
Fires were reported from Dade to Cobb counties, including the Rough Ridge fire that has ripped through about 21,000 acres in the Cohutta Wilderness area of the Chattahoochee National Forest in Fannin County, said Susie Heisey, a spokeswoman with the Southern Area Gold Team, a group helping the U.S. Forest Service get the fire under control.
Northwest winds moving at 7 mph blew in smoke Tuesday.
RELATED: Should you be worried about the smoke?
“You’ll likely smell it if you’re outside at all, and for some of us, even inside the building,” Nitz said.
Temperatures were 58 degrees in Atlanta, 49 in Blairsville and 52 in Griffin just before 9 p.m. Tuesday.
“Now temperatures are going to get pretty chilly beyond midnight into (Wednesday) morning, dipping down into the upper 40s in town,” Nitz said.
» The Air Quality Scale used in Atlanta:
“Good” AQI is 0 to 50. Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
“Moderate” AQI is 51 to 100. Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people. For example, people who are unusually sensitive to ozone may experience respiratory symptoms.
“Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” AQI is 101 to 150. Although the general public is not likely to be affected at this range, people with lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from exposure to ozone, whereas persons with heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from the presence of particles in the air.
“Unhealthy” AQI is 151 to 200. Everyone may begin to experience some adverse health effects, and members of the sensitive groups may experience more serious effects.
“Very Unhealthy” is AQI is 201 to 300. This would trigger a health alert signifying that everyone may experience more serious health effects.
“Hazardous” AQI is greater than 300. This would trigger a health warning of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
» Here are tips from the Georgia Department of Public Health:
Pay attention to local air quality reports and news coverage related to smoke.
Keep indoor air as clean as possible, keeping windows and doors closed.
Run an air conditioner, and keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean.
Avoid activities that increase indoor pollution such as vacuuming, burning candles or using fireplaces or gas stoves.
Do not rely on paper dust masks, which will not protect your lungs from the small particles found in wildfire smoke.
Follow the advice of your doctor or other health care provider if you have asthma or another lung disease.
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