The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert Thursday for the Maryland suburban DC region. 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 mde.maryland.gov/programs/air/AirQualityMonitoring/Pages/index.aspx.

The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert Thursday for the Baltimore City Metro and Annapolis region. 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 mde.maryland.gov/programs/air/AirQualityMonitoring/Pages/index.aspx.

* WHAT. Heat index values up to 107 expected. * WHERE. Portions of central, northeast, northern and southern Maryland, The District of Columbia and central and northern Virginia. * WHEN. From noon to 8 PM EDT Thursday. * IMPACTS. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur.

SVRLWX The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for. The City of Fairfax in northern Virginia. The west central City of Falls Church in northern Virginia. Southeastern Fairfax County in northern Virginia. The City of Alexandria in northern Virginia. * Until 745 PM EDT. * At 708 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Mantua, moving southeast at 15 mph. HAZARD. 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. SOURCE. Radar indicated. IMPACT. Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall. This could injure those outdoors, as well as damage homes and vehicles. Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible. Unsecured light objects may become projectiles. * Locations impacted include. Alexandria, Annandale, Springfield, Fort Washington, Fairfax, Fort Hunt, Vienna, Groveton, Falls Church, Huntington, Mantua, Fort Belvoir, Burke, Oakton, Lincolnia, Lorton, Franconia, Hybla Valley, Merrifield, and Newington.