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ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Alexandrians are facing a dangerous three-day stretch of weather as wildfire smoke drifting south from Canada is expected to make outdoor air unhealthy for everyone Friday, on top of a heat advisory already in effect Thursday and a severe thunderstorm risk that forecasters say could bring damaging winds, large hail and possible tornadoes Saturday.
Air quality in the region has been declining since Thursday, when the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments issued a Code Orange alert due to ozone pollution — meaning the air was already unhealthy for sensitive groups including children, older adults and people with heart or lung disease. Conditions are forecast to worsen Friday as Canadian wildfire smoke pushes the region into Code Red territory, meaning the air will be unhealthy for everyone.
COG issued a Code Red air quality forecast for the Washington metropolitan region Friday, July 17, citing elevated fine particle pollution from the wildfire smoke in a correction to an earlier release that had attributed the forecast to a different cause. Code Red is the second-highest tier on the Air Quality Index. Fine particles from wildfire smoke can penetrate deep into the lungs and worsen respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
The smoke is part of a broader event affecting much of the eastern United States. According to the Associated Press, more than 100 wildfires were burning in Canada as of Tuesday, with winds carrying smoke southeast across the border. Severe drought and heat have fueled an especially active wildfire season, and the AP reported that the most intense smoke was expected to reach as far south as Washington by midday Thursday. Researchers have linked warming temperatures to more frequent and intense wildfires.
The city is already under a heat advisory from the National Weather Service through 8 p.m. Thursday, with heat index values near 105 degrees. The City of Alexandria has opened cooling centers at five recreation centers and four library branches across the city. DASH is operating a cooling bus at 417 King St. through 6 a.m. Friday.
Ryan Belmore
Thursday
Thursday's Code Orange alert, driven by ozone pollution rather than wildfire smoke, primarily affected sensitive groups. COG advised those residents to shorten and reduce the intensity of outdoor activities and watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. Air quality can vary across the region; residents could check conditions near them at mwcog.org or the Clean Air Partners website.
Friday
The NWS forecast calls for widespread smoke beginning after 3 a.m. Friday and persisting through the day, with sunny skies and a high near 92 degrees.
COG advises sensitive groups — people with heart or lung disease, asthma or emphysema, older adults and children — to avoid long or intense outdoor activities and consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors. Healthy individuals should also limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor exertion.
The Alexandria Health Department advises that staying indoors, preferably in air conditioning, is the best protection against both heat and poor air quality. Residents should drink water before feeling thirsty, avoid sugary or alcoholic drinks, and monitor neighbors and co-workers for signs of heat-related illness.
Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, and nausea. If untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, a medical emergency. Heat stroke symptoms include an extremely high body temperature, red and dry skin with no sweating, a rapid, strong pulse, and confusion or unconsciousness. Anyone experiencing signs of heat stroke should call 911 immediately. More information is available at alexandriava.gov/PublicHealth or the CDC's extreme heat page.
AirNow recommends that residents who can see or smell smoke avoid strenuous activities such as mowing the lawn or running. Those who must work outdoors should limit time outside to essential tasks, take frequent indoor breaks and wear an N95 respirator mask. Cloth masks do not protect against wildfire smoke, the agency notes.
On Code Red days, COG and the city advise residents to:
- Avoid lawn mowing, or use an electric mower
- Use gas or electric grills instead of charcoal
- Fill vehicle gas tanks after sunset
- Take transit, carpool or work from home
- Turn off lights and electronics when not in use
- Use a portable air cleaner indoors, or run a central air system to filter indoor air
- Bring pets indoors to climate-controlled areas
Residents can check real-time air quality at mwcog.org or AirNow.gov. Alexandria-specific guidance is available at alexandriava.gov/AirQuality.
Saturday
A 90% chance of showers and thunderstorms is forecast for Saturday, with conditions capable of turning severe. An NWS hazardous weather outlook warns of the potential for large hail, damaging wind gusts that could approach 70 mph and a couple of tornadoes across the region. Heavy rain could produce isolated flash flooding. The high will again be near 92 degrees, with a heat index as high as 103. Some wildfire smoke may linger Saturday morning before the storm system moves through, according to the NWS.
Residents should monitor NWS forecast updates and city alerts through the weekend. Non-emergency weather damage or blocked roadways can be reported to Alex311 at 703-746-4444 or through the Alex311 app. For emergencies, call 911.
COG provides daily air quality forecasts for the Northern Virginia and D.C. region in partnership with the District Department of Energy and Environment and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The city's air quality action days program offers additional guidance at alexandriava.gov/AirQuality.
Sunday
Conditions are expected to improve on Sunday. The NWS forecast calls for mostly sunny skies and a high near 88 degrees — several degrees cooler than Friday and Saturday — with only a 30% chance of showers and possible thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Sunday night is forecast to drop to around 69 degrees, the coolest night of the stretch.
Whether the weekend's wildfire smoke fully clears by Sunday will depend in part on how Saturday's storm system moves through the region; residents should check AirNow.gov for updated air quality conditions before heading outside.
