An Air Quality Alert and Heat Advisory have been issued for Alexandria as wildfire smoke combined with high temperatures could have an impact Thursday (July 16).
Alexandria and the region are under a Code Orange Air Quality Alert, which means conditions may be unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, older adults, and people with asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases.
Capital Weather attributed the poor air quality to smoke from Canadian wildfires. In parts of the Great Lakes and Northeast, the smoky conditions have transformed the sky into shades of red and orange.
“While the thickest smoke is expected to stretch from northern Wisconsin to Massachusetts on Wednesday, it should sink south into Pennsylvania Wednesday night into Thursday,” Capital Weather reported. “The period of greatest concern locally will be late Thursday night into Friday, when winds from the northwest may direct the plume directly through the Mid-Atlantic.”
Possible signs of smoke entering the area may include reduced air quality, a smoky odor, hazy skies, slightly cooler temperatures due to smoke blocking sunlight, and more vibrant sunrises and sunsets.
COG forecasts Code Orange air quality in the DC region tomorrow, July 16, due to ground-level ozone pollution. Stay air quality aware and learn tips to clean the air: https://t.co/vujQarGehK pic.twitter.com/UnXt0MtgOw
— COG (@MWCOG) July 15, 2026
More from the National Weather Service:
Air Quality Alert issued July 15 at 4:40PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 4:40 P.M. WEDNESDAY TO MIDNIGHT EDT FRIDAY.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert Thursday for Northern Virginia.
A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.
For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles visit the web site Virginia DEQ air quality web site at www.deq.virginia.gov
The National Weather Service also issued a Heat Advisory:
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 9:55AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 A.M. TO 8 P.M. EDT THURSDAY.
* WHAT…Heat index values around 105.
* WHERE…Washington DC, and portions of central, northeast, northern, and southern Maryland, and northern Virginia.
* WHEN…Until 8 PM EDT this evening.
* IMPACTS…Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
