Code Orange air quality alert Wednesday for the Birmingham metropolitan area

High temperatures and light winds will combine to raise ozone levels in the Birmingham metro area on Wednesday, according to health officials.

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has issued a Code Orange air quality alert for Jefferson and Shelby counties for Wednesday.

According to forecasters at Airnow.gov, dry, submerged air near the surface will work to keep pollutants closer to the ground, and ozone levels could reach levels that will be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

These groups include children and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma.

High temperatures Wednesday are forecast to top out in the 90s under sunny skies:

Here are some ADEM recommendations for air quality alert days:

* Save electricity and set the air conditioner to a higher temperature.

* Limit driving and combine commissions.

* Avoid using gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment.

* Fuel vehicles after 6pm

* Engine idle limitation.

* Use household, workshop and garden chemicals in ways that keep evaporation to a minimum or try to avoid them when poor air quality is forecast.