HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania DEP has forecast a Code Orange air quality action day for ozone on Friday, July 22, for Berks, Bucks, Cumberland, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and York Counties.
On Friday, a ridge of high pressure, which has been persisting across the Midwestern US for the last couple of days, shifts east along the East Coast. This ridge will allow for clear skies, light winds and temperatures to extend into the 90s. As a result of the sunny and warm conditions, ozone is expected to rise into the Code Orange range.
These elevated ozone levels could extend through the weekend as we see hot and humid conditions persist over the region.
On air quality action days, young children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standardized air quality index uses colors to report daily air quality. Green signifies good; yellow means moderate; orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive people; and red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all.
To help keep the air healthy, residents and business are encouraged to voluntarily restrict certain pollution-producing activities by:
- Refueling cars and trucks after dusk
- Setting air conditioner thermostats to a higher temperature
- Carpooling or using public transportation; and
- Combining errands to reduce trips.
These forecasts are provided in conjunction with the Air Quality Partnership of the Delaware Valley, the Lehigh Valley/Berks Air Quality Partnership and the Susquehanna Valley Air Quality Partnership.
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