"Good" AQI is 0 to 50. Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
"Moderate" AQI is 51 to 100. Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people. For example, people who are unusually sensitive to ozone may experience respiratory symptoms.
"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" AQI is 101 to 150. Although the general public is not likely to be affected at this AQI range, people with lung disease, older adults and children are at a greater risk from exposure to ozone, whereas persons with heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from the presence of particles in the air.
"Unhealthy" AQI is 151 to 200. Everyone may begin to experience some adverse health effects, and members of the sensitive groups may experience more serious effects.
"Very Unhealthy" is AQI is 201 to 300. This would trigger a health alert signifying that everyone may experience more serious health effects.
"Hazardous" AQI is greater than 300. This would trigger health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
LEARN MORE: Smog alerts in Atlanta: Understanding code red, code orange air quality warnings | Check today’s Air Quality Index for Atlanta
The forecast
Today: Mostly sunny. Stray showers possible. High: 92.
Tonight: Partly cloudy skies. Isolated thunderstorms. Low: 69
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny with only a 10 percent chance of rain. High: 92.
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
North Georgia was under a drought Thursday, according to Channel 2 Action News.
“Parts of north Georgia are now in extreme drought,” meteorologist Katie Walls said. “Severe drought is more widespread.”
When areas are under a severe drought, crop or pasture losses are likely, water shortages are common and water restrictions can be imposed.
Don’t worry. There are no new watering restrictions in effect.
However, the severe drought extended to metro Atlanta, which is under a code orange smog alert.
During a code orange alert, children, teenagers, elderly adults and people with lung disease or asthma are encouraged to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
The Air Quality Scale used in Atlanta ranges from a “good” to a “hazardous.” The hazardous portion of the scale would trigger health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population could be affected.
Metro Atlanta was in the moderate level early Thursday.
Temperatures were 92 degrees in Atlanta, 80 degrees in Blairsville, and 84 degrees in Griffin just before 8 p.m.
The forecast called for highs to reach 92 degrees in Atlanta, 88 degrees in Blairsville and 85 degrees in Griffin.
There’s only a slight chance of rain Thursday. Those chances increase over the holiday weekend. Metro Atlanta faces a 30 to 40 percent chance of rain between Saturday and Monday, and areas to the north of metro Atlanta face a 40 to 50 percent chance.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for northeast Gwinnett County until 3 p.m. with possible 60 mph wind gusts, Channel 2 chief meteorologist Glenn Burns said.
Ongoing water restrictions limit the hours when Atlantans are allowed to use outdoor water. Check for the current water use restrictions here.
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