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ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The air in Alexandria and the rest of Northern Virginia is forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive groups on Friday, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments said, issuing a Code Orange air quality alert for the region.
The Code Orange forecast, announced Thursday, covers the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and parts of suburban Maryland for June 5. At that level, COG says, the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups — including people with heart or lung conditions such as asthma or emphysema, older adults and children. The council advised those residents to make outdoor activities shorter and less intense and to watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.
The alert lands during the same hot, mostly rainless stretch that has pushed the region into a drought watch. COG declared a regional drought watch on Wednesday, urging voluntary water conservation across the area, and the National Weather Service has forecast Alexandria highs near 93 on Friday and 95 on Saturday, with the first chance of rain not arriving until late Saturday night. Hot, stagnant conditions can worsen ground-level ozone, the kind of pollution that drives summer Code Orange days.
Ryan Belmore
COG recommended several steps residents can take to limit pollution on unhealthy air days, several of which overlap with the conservation it is already urging during the drought. The council suggested skipping gas-powered lawn mowing or using an electric mower, choosing gas or electric grills over charcoal, refueling vehicles after sunset, and using transit, carpooling or working from home. It also advised turning off lights and electronics when not in use and following utility tips for using less electricity to cool homes.
Air quality can vary across the region, and residents can check current conditions near them on COG's website or through the Clean Air Partners program, which the council runs to educate the public about reducing pollution and the health risks of poor air quality.
