"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
Scattered yet potentially severe thunderstorms were moving out of the metro Atlanta area as the sun set and rain showers were expected to dry out overnight, meteorologists said.
Many severe thunderstorm warnings were issued Wednesday afternoon.
Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Katie Walls said numerous trees and power lines were down in Polk County shortly after 4 p.m. Storm damage had also been reported in Coweta County and in Newnan.
Thunderstorms such as these come on rapidly, then quickly weaken and dissipate, Chief Meteorologist Glenn Burns said, noting the majority of severe weather would be over by about 11 p.m.
Athens saw heavy rain and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued in Carrollton County, Peachtree City and parts of Harris and and Meriwether counties before 5 p.m.
Cobb County’s warning expired at 5:45 p.m. as thunderstorms with potential one-inch-thick hail moved toward parts of Gwinnett and DeKalb counties.
“That is the kind of hail that can put a dent in your car,” Burns said, recommending residents garage their cars if possible.
Thunderstorms weren’t the only risk in Wednesday’s weather, though.
A code orange smog alert was issued for the region.
The alert, which means the air could be unhealthy for people in sensitive groups, follows a string of alerts issued since last week.
Metro Atlanta experienced high smog levels for about 40 minutes between 5 and 6 p.m. Tuesday.
“We’ll see if we do that again today,” meteorologist Karen Minton said.
Children, teenagers, elderly adults and people with lung disease or asthma are encouraged to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors, and drivers are asked to try and stay off the roads when possible, to reduce pollutants.
"Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath," according to a post from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Along with the risk of smog, heat will return Wednesday and last throughout the week.
The expected high is 90 degrees Wednesday and Thursday.
Temperatures were 77 degrees in Atlanta, 76 degrees in Blairsville and 77 degrees in Griffin just after 8:20 p.m.
There is a 40 percent chance of rain Thursday, which will increase to 60 percent Sunday.
Atlanta has not gotten as much rain as it received this time last year, according to rainfall amounts taken at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
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