The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued a code ORANGE air quality alert for Thursday for the Pittsburgh area - including Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Armstrong, Washington, Western Westmoreland, Western Fayette counties.

A code ORANGE air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, the elderly, and people suffering from asthma, heart disease, or other lung diseases.

The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding outdoor exercise or strenuous activity.

According to Bill Modzelewski, a spokesman with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, the region will experience a temperature inversion Thursday, meaning warmer temperatures in the higher atmosphere will trap surface air and keep pollutants from rising.