Heat index values around 105 expected. * WHERE...Washington DC, and portions of central, northern, and southern Maryland, and central and northern Virginia. * WHEN...From 11 AM this morning to 7 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and District Department of Environment has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert Saturday for the District of Columbia. Concentrations of fine particulate matter due to wildfire smoke will persist at levels consistent with an Air Quality Index of Unhealthy (Red Alert) to Very Unhealthy (Purple Alert) Friday night into Saturday morning. Air quality begins to improve Saturday afternoon. Code Purple and Code Red Air Quality Alerts mean that air pollution concentrations within the region are unhealthy to very unhealthy for the general population. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors. For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles visit the web site https://www.mwcog.org/environment/air/forecast/