The heat is cranking up again in metro Atlanta on Wednesday along with a Code Orange air quality alert, so plan accordingly.
Temperatures will be in the mid-80s by noon and warm into the low 90s before the day is over.
In addition to the heat, those who suffer from respiratory issues should limit their time outdoors, according to AirNow, which keeps track of air quality changes. The Code Orange alert is caused by sunlight interacting with pollutants, such as vehicle exhaust and other emissions from power plants and industrial boilers, and creates ozone. This often happens in the summer months when there is little wind and prolonged sunlight, especially during peak traffic times.
As for the heat, it will only get hotter over the next few days.
The hot air is filtering in from Texas, where a big area of high pressure has been sitting for the past week, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Ashley Kramlich said.
“I don’t expect us to reach high temperatures in the triple digits, but we likely will be feeling like the triple digits as we end out the week and go into the weekend,” she said.
Atlanta is expected to see a 103-degree heat index on Friday and 105 on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
Rain could provide some relief, but there isn’t much of it in the forecast. The next chance of showers doesn’t come until Saturday, Kramlich said.
With temperatures climbing, make sure to limit strenuous outdoor activities and wear breathable and light-colored clothing if you do find yourself spending time outdoors.
For those training for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race on July 4, determining your “summer pace” — slowing down according to the outdoor temperature — and taking other precautions are necessary.
And always remember to “look before you lock” your car, especially during the peak of summer heat, as temperatures inside could exceed 100 degrees in just 20 minutes.
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
» For updated traffic information, listen to News 95.5 and AM 750 WSB and follow @wsbtraffic on Twitter.
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