While today’s heat is less than Wednesday’s century mark, there is an ozone alert today followed by a chance of thunderstorms tonight, according to the National Weather Service.
With the orange ozone alert, people are urged to avoid activities which lead to ozone formation, including refueling vehicles or topping off when refueling, idling vehicles unnecessarily and using gasoline-powered lawn equipment, according to the weather service.
Residents are asked to carpool, bike to work, delay or combine errands and use water-based paints and cleaners today.
Residents should limit strenuous outdoor physical activity today to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. Those who are especially sensitive to the effects of elevated ozone include the very young, and those with pre-existing respiratory problems. Those with symptoms should consult their doctors.
Today, the high will be near 91 with a north northeast wind of 7 mph, the weather service said.
Tonight, look for a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10 p.m., the weather service said. Storms will be mainly south of I-70 tonight. Tonight’s low will be around 71.
The threat for thunderstorms will expand across the entire area late tonight into Friday, with a few strong storms possible, according to the weather service.
Another round of thunderstorms will be possible area-wide Saturday night into Sunday, with a few strong storms possible, the weather service said.
On Friday, there is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. It will be partly sunny with a high near 89, according to the weather service. A south southeast wind of 6 to 9 mph is forecast.
Friday night, expect a low of 74 with mostly cloudy skies, the weather service said.
Saturday’s forecast is mostly sunny with a high of 93, and a south wind of 8 to 13 mph, according to the weather service.
Saturday night, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low of 75, the weather service said.
Sunday, a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms is predicted, with a high near 92.
Sunday night, the low will be 72, and there is a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms and showers, the weather service said.