Community Corner

Air Quality Alert In Effect Until 10 p.m.

Southwest wind transporting into area towns.

The state Department of Environmental Protection has issued an air quality alert for area towns until 10 p.m. Monday.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in New London-Groton, was 109 at 4 p.m. An AQI of 0 to 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 is considered moderate, and 101 to 150 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as people with respiratory problems.

"Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion during elevated ozone events," said the state DEP. "In addition, when particulate levels are elevated, people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion."

Find out what's happening in Grotonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

An air quality action day alert has been issued for southern Middlesex, southern New Haven, and southern New London counties, according to the National Weather Service.

"An air quality action day means that ozone within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards," the National Weather Service said. "A broad southwest wind flow is transporting ozone and ozone precursors into the state, combined with hot, humid conditions and abundant sunshine."

Find out what's happening in Grotonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In New Haven, the air quality index was 172 at 4 p.m., which means that ozone levels had reached unhealthy levels. In New Haven, "active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. Everyone else, especially children, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors."

The state DEP says ozone is "a colorless gas that is a major constituent of smog. This pollutant alone contributes to the majority of unhealthy air quality days in CT, as measured by the Air Quality Index (AQI). Ozone is found both at high altitude and ground level. High altitude ozone is beneficial because it shields the earth from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. Ground level ozone is harmful because it reacts with the mucus membranes of the respiratory system and causes inflammation."

For additional information, please see the PDFs with this article or go the DEP website.

The extended forecast for Groton, according to the National Weather Service, is as follows:

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind between 6 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind between 8 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. West wind between 6 and 11 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. North wind around 9 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 82.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.

 


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