TRENTON, N.J. — A code orange air quality alert and a heat advisory are in effect across portions of New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania Friday as high temperatures and elevated pollution levels raise health concerns for sensitive groups.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issued the air quality alert for Ocean County and southeastern Burlington County. The alert signals that ozone levels may reach unhealthy concentrations for vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions.
“A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups,” the agency stated.
In addition to the air quality warning, the National Weather Service has maintained a heat advisory for a broad region spanning central and southern New Jersey and parts of eastern Pennsylvania, including areas such as Allentown, Bethlehem, Reading, and Morristown.
The advisory runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and warns of heat index values climbing as high as 105 degrees due to a combination of temperatures near 96 and high humidity. Forecasters caution that the intense heat may cause heat-related illnesses if precautions are not taken.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible in the late afternoon and evening, with a 30% chance of precipitation during the day and up to 40% tonight. Conditions are expected to ease slightly over the weekend, with highs in the low to mid-80s and intermittent rain chances through Sunday.
The New Jersey DEP is advising residents to limit strenuous outdoor activity and seek air-conditioned spaces during peak pollution hours.