Rowan weather: Code orange air quality

Published 7:52 am Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Today brings the first bad air day of the season. An air quality alert is in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has issued a code orange air quality action day for ground level ozone. This means the ozone may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.

People with asthma and other respiratory diseases such as COPD should avoid outdoor activities.

The alert is related to today’s hot high of 85 and a lack of air movement. West southwest winds might pick up this afternoon to 6 mph.

Tonight will be partly cloudy and 64.

Thursday brings a 20 percent chance of showers after 3 p.m. Otherwise, it will be partly sunny and 84, with more south southwest breezes around 6 mph. The same chance of rain lingers into Thursday night, with thunderstorms possible. The low will be 65.

Friday will be mostly sunny and hot again, with a high of 85 and afternoon south winds around 6 mph. Friday night’s low will be 64.

The holiday weekend is starting to look a little iffy.

Saturday will be mostly sunny and 85 again. A 30 percent chance of showers moves in after midnight, with a low of 66.

Sunday has a 40 percent chance of showers, with thunderstorms possible after 11 a.m. It will be partly sunny and 82.

That chance of rain increases Sunday night to 50 percent, with a low again of 66.

Memorial Day now has a 50 percent chance of storms and showers, with mostly cloudy skies and a high of 81. A 50 percent chance of showers for Monday night, too, with a low of 66.

Tuesday’s chance of showers and storms is 40 percent, with mostly cloudy skies again and a high of 81.