Code Orange Air Quality Alert Issued for North Carolina Counties
Ground level ozone expected to reach unhealthy levels across multiple North Carolina counties from tonight through Friday night.
WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA — The Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for ground level ozone affecting multiple North Carolina counties from midnight tonight through midnight Friday night.
The alert covers Forsyth County and extends to neighboring Stokes, Rockingham, Caswell, and Davie counties in the Triad region. Officials warn that ozone levels are expected to reach unhealthy standards for sensitive groups during this period.
Health Risks for Vulnerable Populations
An Air Quality Action Day means that ground level ozone concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards, according to the National Weather Service. The designation indicates particular concern for individuals with respiratory conditions, children, elderly residents, and those who spend extended time outdoors.
Ground level ozone forms when pollutants from vehicles, industrial facilities, and other sources react with sunlight and heat. The Code Orange classification represents the third level on the Air Quality Index scale, indicating air quality that may be unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Regional Coverage and Duration
The air quality alert affects several counties across north-central North Carolina. Forsyth County, home to Winston-Salem, serves as the primary monitoring location for the region’s air quality conditions.
The Blacksburg, Virginia National Weather Service office extended the alert to include Stokes, Rockingham, and Caswell counties, while the Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina office issued similar warnings for Davie County in the Triad area.
Public Information and Resources
Residents can access additional information and daily air quality forecasts through the Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection website. The department maintains updated forecasts and health recommendations during air quality events.
The alerts were issued by National Weather Service offices in Raleigh, Blacksburg, Virginia, and Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, between 2:05 PM and 2:35 PM on June 4. All three offices coordinated the warnings to ensure comprehensive coverage of the affected North Carolina counties.
Officials recommend that sensitive individuals limit prolonged outdoor activities during the Code Orange period, particularly during peak afternoon hours when ozone concentrations typically reach their highest levels.
