Code Orange smog alert for Sunday, Monday

By Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Code Orange smog alerts have been issued for Sunday and Monday, meaning the air quality in metro Atlanta is expected to be poor.

Hot, sunny weather is the likely culprit for the increased smog, and no significant change in the weather is expected for several days, Channel 2 Action News Meteorologist Brad Nitz said.

Sunday and Monday will be sunny with high temperatures reaching around 95 degrees, with the next chance of rain not coming until Wednesday, Nitz said.

That's bad news for young children and older adults, as well as those who suffer from respiratory conditions, such as asthma, said Kevin Green, executive director of the Clean Air Campaign.

Those most sensitive to poor air quality should plan to stay indoors during the late afternoon and early evening, when ozone levels are the highest.

The rest of us should try to do our part to avoid contributing to the problem, Green said. His suggestions include:

* If you have to drive, try to combine errands and limit trips.

* Check your vehicles for leaking gas caps, and try to fuel up after 6 p.m.

* Don't idle your vehicle for long periods of time.

* Consider an electric gas mower, rather than a gas-powered one.

--Staff writer Larry Hartstein contributed to this report.