Summer heat: Today will be hottest day of the year; Air quality alert issued

ATLANTA — Get ready: Wednesday was the hottest day of the year so far, but today is going to be even hotter.

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan said high temperatures will reach 97 degrees in Atlanta, but it will feel even hotter.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Severe Weather Team 2 App for alerts wherever you go]

Along with the heat, the air quality will be poor. There’s a Code Orange air quality alert for metro Atlanta. If you have respiratory issues, please limit your time outdoors today.

Here’s what you need to know:

• The peak of the heat comes between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• People with breathing issues should avoid being outside for long periods
• The relief from the heat comes next week

[INTERACTIVE: StormTracker 2HD Radar]

Scorching heat for this afternoon

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