Ozone Levels Prompt Code Orange Alert for Delaware
Delaware is under a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day on Friday, June 5th due to hot temperatures, sunshine, and light winds that are expected to increase ozone levels. A Code Orange means air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and people with heart or respiratory conditions. Officials recommend that those individuals limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity. Air quality is expected to improve somewhat over the weekend as winds increase and a cold front moves through the region.
Additional Information from DNREC:
Friday, June 5, will be an Ozone Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Delaware!
Viernes, Junio 5, será un Día Naranja del Ozono para Delaware.
Vandredi, Jen 5, yon Jounen Kòd Oranj pou Ozòn pou Aksyon sou Kalite Lè nan Delaware!
Tomorrow’s Forecast:
Friday, June 5 is a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Delaware. A morning temperature inversion will trap ozone precursors near the ground. In addition, mostly sunny skies and highs in the low-90s will enhance ozone production across Delaware. Furthermore, light west-southwesterly winds will reduce dispersion and gradually carry regional pollutants into the state. Therefore, Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI levels are anticipated for ozone, while low-Moderate AQI levels are anticipated for PM2.5.
Extended Forecast:
Saturday, partly to mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low-90s will continue to support ozone production. However, strengthening west-southwesterly winds during the afternoon will increase pollutant dispersion. Thus, AQI levels are anticipated to be mid-Moderate for ozone and high-Good for PM2.5.
Sunday, as a weak cold front departs to the southeast, northwesterly winds will disperse pollutants and gradually bring cleaner air into Delaware. However, warm temperatures and periods of sunshine will aid ozone formation. Therefore, AQI levels are anticipated to be mid-Moderate for ozone and high-Good for PM2.5.
For more information about the air quality Action Day and what you can do to reduce air pollution, check out the following website: https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/air/quality/forecast/
Helpful Resources to Access Data Include:
- EPA’s AirNow website or app: https://www.airnow.gov/?city=Wilmington&state=DE&country=USA, including the Fire and Smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/#9.11/39.4502/-75.5494
- DNREC’s GIS tool at de.gov/airdata
Para obtener más información sobre Día de Acción por la Calidad del Aire y lo que puede hacer para reducir la contaminación del aire, visite el siguiente sitio web: de.gov/aqi
Pou plis enfòmasyon sou jounen aksyon kalite lè a ak sa ou ka fè pou diminye polisyon lè a, gade sou sit entènèt sa a: de.gov/aqi
A Code Orange air quality forecast for ozone is a level of pollution that can be unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as young children, the elderly, and those with heart and/or respiratory conditions. Such persons should limit outdoor activities, especially those that require a high level of exertion. Any health-related questions should be directed to the Division of Public Health at 302-744-4700. All other questions should be directed to the Division of Air Quality at 302-739-9402.