Air quality alert for South Central Pa. until early Thursday

On Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. the National Weather Service reported an air quality alert in effect until Thursday at midnight for Dauphin, Lebanon, Cumberland, York and Lancaster counties.

"The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert on Wednesday for the Susquehanna Valley. 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," according to the weather service.