"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 a 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
Smog could cause problems for some in metro Atlanta later Thursday.
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 one issued Wednesday.
Children, teenagers, elderly adults and people with lung disease or asthma are encouraged to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
"Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath," according to a post from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Temperatures are on the rise, and light rain was reported in parts of Atlanta, Jonesboro and Lithonia, according to Channel 2 Action News.
On-again, off-again showers were expected through about 9 p.m.
“But most of us won’t get any rain at all,” meteorologist Karen Minton said.
There is a 20 percent chance of rain Thursday and Friday and a 10 percent chance of rain Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day.
The chances of rain won’t cool temperatures much. Highs will reach 87 degrees by 5 p.m. Thursday and the mid-80s through Monday.
Temps were 81 degrees in Atlanta, 69 degrees in Blairsville and 72 degrees in Griffin just before 11 p.m.
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