The city of Memphis and its surrounding areas have been put on alert for poor air quality today, as the Shelby County Health Department reported forecasted ozone values that may prove hazardous for individuals with respiratory concerns. According to the National Weather Service Memphis, a Code Orange Ozone Forecast is in effect for Shelby County Tennessee, Crittenden County Arkansas, and DeSoto County Mississippi, which includes the city of Memphis.

Residents are being advised especially active children and adults, along with people suffering from respiratory diseases like asthma, should reduce prolonged outdoor activities while the alert is in place, the unhealthy ozone levels are expected to exceed the air quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Shelby County Health Department, in urging the public to stay informed about the air quality, recommends visiting www.airnow.gov for the most current air quality forecasts and updates until such time as the monitored ozone values return to within safe thresholds for the general population.

While the air quality takes a hit, the weather for the region, according to National Weather Service Memphis, will see mostly sunny skies today with a high near 87 degrees, the tranquility of the weather will not mask the underlying environmental concern posed by the elevated ozone levels as the city braces itself for potential temperature fluctuations and precipitation with a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms later in the week.