Charlotte woke up to clear skies and a cool start near 63°F (17°C) Friday morning, but the cool air will not last long. Forecasters say sunshine will crank afternoon temperatures up to a high near 89°F, with light west-southwest breezes. At the same time, state officials have issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Rowan, Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties from 10 AM to 8 PM on Friday, June 5, and they are urging sensitive residents to take it easy outside.
Afternoon Heat And Weekend Outlook
Sunshine and dry air are expected to hang around through Saturday, with highs near 89°F both days and light winds shifting from west-southwest to southwest. Those winds are forecast to pick up Saturday afternoon, with gusts that could reach up to 18 mph, while overnight lows stay in the mid-60s, around 64–67°F. By Sunday and Monday, temperatures climb into the low 90s, and by Monday afternoon there is a growing chance of showers or thunderstorms after about 2 PM, at roughly a 40% chance.
Air Quality Alert And Health Tips
According to the Air Quality Portal, Code Orange means ground-level ozone may approach or exceed unhealthy levels for sensitive groups during the alert period. If you have asthma, COPD, heart disease, or small children, public health officials recommend avoiding prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity from 10 AM to 8 PM and shifting workouts to early morning or later in the evening when possible. Residents are also asked to cut down on vehicle idling, hold off on mowing or refueling, and delay using gas-powered outdoor equipment to help limit ozone formation.
Plan Ahead
This afternoon’s smoggy setup follows similar Code Orange days earlier this spring; see how smoggy skies put Charlotte on edge. The National Weather Service expects dry, warming conditions to continue through Saturday before a front brings diurnal storm chances early next week, so it is worth keeping an eye on the afternoon forecast updates. If you have outdoor events planned this weekend and someone in your group is sensitive to poor air, consider scheduling activities earlier in the day or moving them indoors.
