Air quality poor Wednesday

A Code Orange air quality alert has been issued for the D.C. area Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

The warning, issued by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, means air pollution could be harmful for children, the elderly or people with respiratory ailments. Orange is the third ranking after Green, which signals good air quality, and Yellow, which means air quality could be harmful for people especially sensitive to pollution.

Officials advise residents to avoid outdoor exercise.

Air quality in Washington improved slightly last year, according to the American Lung Association's recently released State of the Air 2010 report. Still, the report gave D.C. a grade of "F," ranking it among the country's worst polluted cities.

Capital Weather Gang: More heat, but less humidity, today

-- Mike McPhate