CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -
As temperatures climb into the 90s Wednesday unhealthy levels of ozone will affect the Charlotte region.
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg put an Air Quality Alert in effect from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Wednesday.
At 9 a.m., air quality in Mecklenburg County was in code yellow, or moderate, as the heat combined with a mixture of pollutants was pushing the air quality index closer toward a code orange.
The weather service says unusually sensitive groups should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. Older adults and people with heart and lung disease are also cautioned against any prolonged activities outdoors.
By 10 a.m., temperatures in Charlotte were already approaching 80 degrees and were expected to top out in the low to mid-90s during the afternoon hours.
The Air Quality Alert is currently in effect for Mecklenburg, Union, Gaston, Cabarrus, Rowan, Lincoln, Catawba, Iredell, Alexander, Burke and Caldwell counties.
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