{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.ac254966c10fafd89373dacb74aff867238976b8.002.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 5:51PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-07-16","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.ac254966c10fafd89373dacb74aff867238976b8.002.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Wakefield VA"},"word_count":203,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 5:51PM EDT by NWS Wakefield VA\n\n**Severity:** Unknown\n**Certainty:** Unknown\n**Urgency:** Unknown\n**Areas:** Fluvanna; Goochland; Caroline; Powhatan; Westmoreland; Richmond; Northumberland; Lancaster; Dinwiddie; Prince George; Charles City; New Kent; Middlesex; Mathews; Accomack; Northampton; Western Louisa; Eastern Louisa; Western Hanover; Eastern Hanover; Western Chesterfield; Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights); Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond); Eastern Henrico; Western King William; Eastern King William; Western King and Queen; Eastern King and Queen; Western Essex; Eastern Essex\n**Issued by:** NWS Wakefield VA\n**Sent:** 2026-07-16T17:51:00-04:00\n**Effective:** 2026-07-16T17:51:00-04:00\n**Expires:** 2026-07-17T06:00:00-04:00\n\n## Description\nThe Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Code\nRED Air Quality Alert across The Richmond Metro Area, for Fine\nParticulates, until midnight EDT Friday night. This also includes\nareas to the north and northeast of the Richmond Metro, as wells the\nthe Virginia Eastern Shore.\n\nAir quality is expected to reach code RED, which is unhealthy, and\nmeans everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.\nThose with respiratory and/or heart ailments may experience more\nserious health effects.\n\nAn Air Quality Alert means that Fine Particulates concentrations\nwithin the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards. For\nadditional information, please visit the Virginia D E Q Air Quality\nWeb Site at http://www.deq.virginia.gov/AQforecast"}