"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
Above average temperatures that resulted in a code orange smog alert Wednesday could take temperatures into the 90s next week.
“It’s not likely that each and every day would make it into the 90s, but it is likely that we’ll be getting a little bit hotter next week,” Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Brad Nitz said.
Temperatures this week will not reach the 90-degree marker. Thursday’s expected high in Atlanta is 87 degrees.
Temperatures were 85 degrees in Atlanta, 78 degrees in Blairsville and 87 degrees in Griffin just before 7 p.m.
Children, teenagers, elderly adults and people with lung disease or asthma were encouraged to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors due to Wednesday’s smog alert.
"Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath," according to a post from the Environmental Protection Agency.
There is a 10 percent chance of rain Wednesday, a 20 percent chance Thursday and Friday, a 10 percent chance Saturday and a 20 percent chance Sunday.
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