Residents in parts of Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi, including the vibrant city of Memphis, are advised to remain cautious as the Shelby County Health Department has issued a Code Orange Ozone Forecast for today. This alert, relayed by the National Weather Service Memphis TN, is due to forecasted ozone values that will be unhealthy for sensitive groups and will likely exceed federal safe health standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
According to the health department's recommendation, active children, adults, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, limit prolonged outdoor exertion. The air quality alert pertains specifically to Shelby County, Tennessee; Crittenden County, Arkansas; and DeSoto County, Mississippi. With climactic conditions prone to change slowly, residents should continually check the latest air quality forecasts and updates to stay informed.
The weather forecast for today in Memphis predicts mostly sunny skies with a high near 96 degrees and heat index values climbing as high as 104. The wind is expected to remain calm before becoming westward at around 5 mph. Such calm conditions often contribute to air stagnation, allowing pollutants like ozone to accumulate near the surface and adversely affecting air quality.
The forecast provided by the National Weather Service also indicates that tonight will be partly cloudy, with lows hovering around 74 degrees. For individuals planning outdoor activities, it is advisable to do so during the evening or early morning hours to avoid the peak heat periods. While the upcoming days are set to remain sunny with high temperatures consistently in the mid-90s, there is a chance for some reprieve from the heat with a 20 percent possibility of showers and thunderstorms forecast for Tuesday afternoon.
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