DEP Declares Code Orange Air Quality Action Days In Southwest, Southcentral, Lehigh Valley Counties June 16 to 18

The Department of Environmental Protection and its regional air quality partnerships have forecast a series of Code Orange Air Quality Action Days for ozone for the Southwest, Southcentral and the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania.

On June 16 for the Southwest which includes: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Indiana, Mercer, Washington, and Westmoreland counties).

On June 17 and 18 for Southcentral Pennsylvania, including Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties

On June 17 and 18 for the Lehigh Valley-- Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton counties.

A strong ridge of high pressure, a mostly sunny sky, temperatures in the lower to middle 90s Fahrenheit, and west to southwesterly transport will be highly favorable for ozone formation, starting across western Pennsylvania Saturday, and in all locations Sunday into the day Monday.

This will result in code ORANGE conditions to a widespread area of Pennsylvania Sunday into Monday. An approaching cold front will bring a better chance for afternoon and evening thunderstorms Tuesday, reducing the risk for elevated ozone.

On air quality action days, young children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standardized air quality index uses colors to report daily air quality. Green signifies good; yellow means moderate; orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive people; and red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all.

To help keep the air healthy, residents and business are encouraged to voluntarily restrict certain pollution-producing activities by:

-- Refueling cars and trucks after dusk;

-- Setting air conditioner thermostats to a higher temperature;

-- Carpooling or using public transportation; and

-- Combining errands to reduce trips.

These forecasts are provided in conjunction with the Southwestern PA Air Quality Partnership, Inc, the Susquehanna Valley Air Quality Partnership and the Lehigh Valley-Berks Air Quality Partnership.

Visit DEP’s Air Quality Partnerships webpage for more information on air quality across Pennsylvania.