The Friday forecast for Mecklenburg and Union counties comes with a health warning, not just a chance of sunshine. An air quality alert is in effect until 8 p.m. Friday, with state forecasters upgrading the ozone outlook to Code Orange. Children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions face the highest risk if they spend long periods outdoors. The watch covers the Charlotte metro and stretches southeast into Union County through the evening.
The North Carolina Division of Air Quality updated its forecast Friday and, according to the Air Quality Portal, declared a "Code Orange Air Quality Action Day" for ground-level ozone in Mecklenburg and Union counties through 8 p.m. Forecasters said a stagnant airmass and strong afternoon sunshine are likely to push ozone concentrations into ranges that could affect sensitive groups.
What Code Orange Means
Code Orange corresponds to an Air Quality Index of 101 to 150, labeled "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups," which means children, older adults, and people with asthma or other heart and lung conditions may experience symptoms during prolonged outdoor activity. For a plain-language breakdown of the AQI categories and to see current monitor readings for Charlotte, consult AirNow.
How To Protect Yourself
Officials urge people with respiratory or heart conditions, older adults, and young children to stay inside if possible and to avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. If you must be outdoors, keep activities short and moderate, minimize actions that add pollution such as idling, postpone lawn mowing and defer refueling, and do not burn debris during the action day, as noted by the News & Observer.
Why It's Happening
The Air Quality Portal forecast discussion explains that urban emissions trapped under a stagnant layer of air, combined with sunlight-driven chemistry, are the typical recipe for higher ozone in the spring and summer months. Forecast maps show the worst ozone potential running from Charlotte southeast into Union County, and conditions should improve after a frontal passage this weekend, according to the portal.
Burning And Local Rules
State rules prohibit the open burning of yard waste or land-clearing debris on Air Quality Action Days at Code Orange or above, and local burn bans may add additional restrictions, the NC Department of Environmental Quality says. To report illegal burning or to find county-specific guidance, contact your DAQ regional office.
Where To Watch
For live maps and the latest forecasts, check AirNow and sign up for NCDEQ forecast emails from the Air Quality Portal. Local TV weather teams will also broadcast updates if conditions change.
