NEWS
By Scott Dance | August 7, 2012
Despite it being one of the hottest summers on record in Baltimore, "code red" air pollution days are at their lowest levels since 2009. There has been only one "code red" day, considered unhealthy for everyone -- June 29, the day intense heat fueled the deadly derecho storm. That is according to AirNow, an air-quality website maintained by a handful of federal government agencies. There have been 14 days with "code orange" conditions in at least part of the Baltimore area so far this summer.
FEATURES
Tim Wheeler | June 29, 2012
With temperatures predicted to top 100 degrees today and stay in the high 90s into next week, air-quality forecasters are warning that smog across much of Maryland likely will reach unhealthful levels for children, older adults and anyone with breathing or heart problems. Smog, or ground-level ozone pollution, is expected to hit "Code Orange" levels through Sunday in the Baltimore metropolitan area, according to Clean Air Partners , which publishes air-quality forecasts prepared for the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
NEWS
By Nick Cafferky, Colin Campbell and Scott Dance, The Baltimore Sun | June 20, 2012
Temperature gauges approached triple digits Wednesday on the first day of summer, packing county pools, opening cooling centers and setting the stage for the season of swelter. Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport saw a high of 98 degrees around 3 p.m., missing the record of 100 set in 1931. With high humidity, the heat index topped 100 across the Baltimore area. The normal high for this time of year is 85 degrees. Chances for a record remain Thursday.
NEWS
By Scott Dance | June 11, 2012
Humidity is intense in some parts of Maryland, and it is expected to continue for a few days. Summer weather is upon us. Martin State Airport in Middle River posted a dew point of 72 degrees as of 9:45 a.m., beyond the normal mugginess of a hot Baltimore day. The air is thick, wet and heavy there. In Annapolis, the dew point was 68 degrees by 10 a.m., while BWI Marshall Airport was at 64 degrees. With dew points, anything above 60 degrees is uncomfortable, while getting above 70 degrees is downright unbearable.
NEWS
By Steve Kilar and The Baltimore Sun | May 26, 2012
Air quality will be poor in Baltimore on Sunday, according to state officials. Higher than normal air pollution concentrations could threaten sensitive groups like children, the elderly and people with asthma, heart disease or lung disease. People who may fall into these categories should avoid strenous activity or exercise outdoors. Late Saturday, the Maryland Department of the Environment issued Sunday's code orange air quality alert for the Baltimore metro region. More information about the alert can be found on the Department of the Enviornment's website or by calling the Maryland Air Quality Hotline at 410-537-3247.
FEATURES
Tim Wheeler | May 2, 2012
Just in time for the start of ozone season, the Environmental Protection Agency officially reminds us that Baltimoreans are still breathing unhealthful levels of pollution in their air in late spring and summer. The city and its suburbs were among 45 metro areas nationwide that EPA listed on Tuesday as being in "nonattainment" with air quality standards set in 2008 for ground-level ozone, or smog. Ozone is the byproduct of chemicals emitted in vehicle exhaust and from a wide variety of other sources, including power plants and factories.