Forecast Discussion

Current fine particulate concentrations are in the Code Orange range in the Triangle and northern Coastal Plain, with Code Yellow values elsewhere statewide. Current ozone concentrations are nearing or over the Code Yellow threshold in the ridge tops, with Code Green concentrations elsewhere thus far this morning.

This morning, a Code ORANGE Air Quality Action Day for FINE PARTICULATES is being expanded from the Triangle northeast to the Virginia border and Coast effective immediately until midnight tonight (12AM EDT 6/10/23). This includes: Wake, Johnston, Franklin, Nash, Wilson, Warren, Halifax, Edgecombe, Martin, Northampton, Bertie, Hertford, Gates, Camden, Currituck, Pasquotank, Perquimans and Chowan Counties. Very localized elevated PM2.5 values have occurred overnight and into the morning in/around the Triangle area. This swath of low-level smoke is moving eastward as noted in observations and satellite imagery. Model guidance suggests additional smoke intrusion into the afternoon in this same NE region of the state concurrent with robust low-level mixing, which may bring this smoke down to ground level and result in higher fine particulate readings today into tonight. No changes are being made to the ozone forecast at this time.