Air Quality Alert issued for parts of Southeastern MA Thursday, isolated t-storms possible

New England state air quality forecasters are predicting air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups, due to ground-level ozone, to occur Thursday May 3 in southeastern Massachusetts. Fall River is expected to have an AQI of 105.

Poor air quality affects everyone, but some people are particularly sensitive to air pollutants, including people who are active outdoors, and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma. EPA recommends that people in these areas limit strenuous outdoor activity. On these days, the public and businesses can take actions that will help reduce air pollution and protect the public health. Everyone can reduce air pollution through the following actions:

-use public transportation, or combine errands and car-pool to reduce driving time and mileage;
-use less electricity by turning air conditioning to a higher temperature setting;
-use less electricity by turning off lights, TVs and computers when they are not being used
-avoid using small gasoline-powered engines, such as lawn mowers, string trimmers, chain saws, power-washers, air compressors and leaf blowers on unhealthy air days.

According to the National Weather Service, several model forecast solutions targeting scattered showers & thunderstorms across Southern New England. The main threats from the storms being strong to damaging winds, heavy rain & possible flood issues.