"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. High: 95
Tonight: Isolated storms possible. Low: 75
Tomorrow: More storms possible. High: 95
» For a detailed forecast, visit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution weather page.
Isolated storms are possible, but intense heat is far more likely for metro Atlanta over the next two days.
Friday will be the 43rd day with temperatures in the 90s, according to Channel 2 Action News.
Atlanta highs are expected to stay in the mid-90s through Monday and drop to the low 90s Tuesday.
Temperatures were 92 degrees in Atlanta, 80 degrees in Blairsville and 91 degrees in Griffin just before 6:20 p.m.
With that heat, smog could become a problem in metro areas Friday.
A code orange smog alert went into effect just before 2:10 p.m. Thursday and will last through 6:15 p.m. Friday.
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.
"Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath," according to a post from the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Air Quality Scale used in Atlanta ranges from a “good” to a “hazardous.” The latter would trigger health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population could be affected.
More likely is a chance of isolated showers and storms trickling down through metro Atlanta during the rush hour.
“The coverage, not nearly what we saw yesterday with the widespread heavy rain and severe weather, but we still will have an isolated downpour as we head into and through the early evening hours,” meteorologist Brad Nitz said.
Rain will dry up later Friday night.
About the Author
