Central Ohio under Air Quality Alert for Monday

Central Ohio Weather and Radar

Franklin County and other central Ohio counties will go under a heat advisory beginning at noon Tuesday until Wednesday evening.

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) – The central Ohio heat wave that is expected to linger much of the week has led to an air quality alert being issued.

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission has issued an Air Quality Alert on Monday for all of central Ohio, which includes Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin and Licking counties. With temperatures expected to stay in the mid to upper 90s most of the week, ozone pollution is expected to make the air unhealthy for sensitive groups.

View the latest Air Quality Index for Columbus, provided by AirNow and the Environmental Protection Agency, below. Columbus is projected to have an AQI above 100 and as high as 140 on Monday.

Storm Team 4 is forecasting high temperatures this week, as much as 96 degrees. The spike in heat is expected to remain through much of the week as highs stay at or above 93 through Friday.

The air quality alert is in effect until 9 p.m. tonight.

On Alert days, the MORPC asks that residents help reduce ozone by taking the following actions:

• Carpool, if possible, bike, walk or take the bus instead of driving alone.
• Refuel your vehicle after 8 pm.
• Do not idle your vehicle, exhaust contributes to air pollution.
• Mow your lawn in the evening hours and avoid the use of gas-powered lawn equipment.

In addition, Columbus Public Health recommends for people who spend time outside in high heat to practice the following:

• Drink plenty of water. Do not wait until you are thirsty.
• Stay in air conditioning whenever possible. If you do not have an air conditioner, use movie theatres, malls, libraries and other public places that are cool.
• Avoid beverages with alcohol, caffeine and sugar because they will dehydrate you.
• Eat light meals.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Avoid strenuous activities and limit them to morning and evening hours.
• Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to treat them.
• Check on family members, friends and neighbors.
• Never leave people or pets in a closed car.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.