HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Unhealthy levels of ozone pollution are possible again Wednesday as high temperatures hit near record levels in the triple digits. Ozone is a lung irritant that can trigger asthma attacks or a dry cough in sensitive individuals. It usually peaks between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
When ozone reaches “unhealthy” levels, the guidance from the EPA is as follows.
Sensitive groups: Do not do long or intense outdoor activities. Schedule outdoor activities in the morning when ozone is lower. Consider moving activities indoors. Sensitive groups include people with lung disease such as asthma, older adults, children and teenagers, and people who are active outdoors.
People with asthma: Follow your asthma action plan and keep quick-relief medicine handy.
Everyone else: Reduce long or intense outdoor activity. Take more breaks, do less intense activities. Schedule outdoor activities in the morning when ozone is lower.
We will monitor the pollution sensors for you and keep you updated during our live TV newscasts today.
Temperatures Wednesday morning will again have a tough time dropping below 80 degrees in the city, but west of town it could cool off into the upper 60s allowing patchy fog to form. As the atmosphere dries out, highs will peak around 100 degrees. Since the air will dry out, the heat index will only be a few degrees above the actual air temperature and well below Heat Advisory territory.
What’s the rain outlook for later this week?
Rain chances climb the first few days of the new month. Another round of tropical moisture will roll in from the east as the heat ridge moves westward. Rain chances go up to 40% Friday, 60% Saturday, and 40% on Sunday. That will keep high temperatures in the low-to-mid 90s.
What’s happening in the tropics?
All is quiet in the Atlantic basin for now, but we are seeing signs it may come to life by mid August. Meanwhile, the Eastern Pacific remains very active. For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.
This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.
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