For the first time this year, a Code Orange air quality alert has been issued for the Knoxville metro area and Great Smoky Mountains on Saturday, May 12.
Temperatures are expected to soar near 90 this weekend, and with the rising mercury comes rising levels of ozone in East Tennessee.
Most people will not be impacted by the air quality, but members of sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and people with lung issues, should consider limiting or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities until the air quality improves.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells you how clean or polluted your air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for you.