More warm temps, abundant sunshine as air quality alert issued for most of the Mid-South

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - An Air Quality Alert is in effect Tuesday for most of the Mid-South, including Crittenden, Shelby and DeSoto counties.

Tuesday will be warm and wonderful. Everyone is encouraged to keep air pollution levels down by carpooling, using the bus and refueling at or after 7 p.m. CT.

The Shelby County Health Department issued the following statement on the Code Orange Ozone Forecast, which will be in effect until sunset Tuesday:

"This ozone forecast is due to forecasted ozone values that will be unhealthy for sensitive groups. These values will exceed the Environmental Protection Agency`s federal safe health standard. The Shelby County Health Department recommends that sensitive groups which include active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Please continue to check the latest air quality forecasts and updates until monitored values return to safe levels."

Limit your outside time today if you have breathing issues.

It's a comfortable and dry start to the day.

Temperatures on Tuesday afternoon are expected to rise into the high 70s and low 80s across the Mid-South.

Rain chance: 0%.

Winds: 10 mph.

LOOKING AHEAD: Rising temperatures the next several days with above average temperatures by Friday. Humidity also climbs by Friday with feels-like temperatures in the triple digits Saturday and Sunday. Rain chances stay low.

Wednesday will be warmer. A heatwave is set to begin Thursday. Local Weather for Memphis and the Mid-South Tuesday: Air Quality Alert. Mostly sunny, warm and comfortable. Highs in the low 80s. Wind: NE 5-10 mph. Wednesday: Sunny and warmer. Highs near 85 degrees. Thursday: Sunny and hotter. Highs near 90 degrees. Friday: Sunny and much hotter and more humid. Highs near 95 degrees. Saturday: Hazy, hot and humid. Highs in the mid-90s. Heat indices near or above 100 degrees. Sunday: Hazy, hot and humid. Highs in the mid-90s. Heat indices near or above 100 degrees.