Officials warn of air-quality alert

Health officials are encouraging those at this weekend’s community events to stay safe, as high temperatures and still air in central Ohio will increase the risk of dangerous heat-related illnesses and breathing issues.

A smog alert will be in effect Saturday for the entire region.

The high temperature in Columbus on Saturday is expected to reach 88 degrees, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. Throughout next week, temperatures are expected to hover in the upper 80s and low 90s as the start of summer approaches Thursday.

Warm weather, calm winds and clear, sunny skies — all in the forecast for Saturday — often result in air that’s unhealthy for people with respiratory diseases, children and older adults. People in those sensitive groups are encouraged to either limit their outdoor activities or schedule them for the morning.

Stonewall Columbus’ Pride celebration, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Zoofari, the Columbus Children’s Festival, and the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival in Gahanna are just a few of the many community events schedule.

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission said the air-quality index is expected to be 112 on Saturday. The index ranges from zero to 500, and anything lower than 100 is considered to be safe.