Orange Air Quality Alert Issued for Friday

This week's high temperatures have led to a decrease in air quality, leading the state's Department of Environmental Protection to declare on Friday an Orange Alert for southern New Jersey. 

"Sensitive individuals including the very young, the elderly, and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the afternoon and early evening hours," reads a statement on AIRNow, the government air quality monitoring website. 

The expected high temperature of 94 degrees Friday, coupled with partly sunny skies, could make staying outdoors dangerous for some. Showers and thunderstorms are likely Friday night, and clouds will hang around for part of Saturday before becoming sunny, according to the National Weather Service. 

Air quality levels on Saturday are expected to return to moderate, a level that is "acceptable" for most except those who are "unusually sensitive to air pollution," according to AIRnow. The high is forecast to be near 86 degrees. 

Manchester's Office of Emergency Management  that those most at risk for heat-related illness seek air conditioning, wear light-colored clothes and drink plenty of fluids.