An air quality alert continues for several Northeast Ohio counties until 12 a.m. Wednesday morning.

The National Weather Service (NWS) alert started at 12 a.m. Tuesday.

High temperatures and high humidity remain in the forecast.

“Poor air quality can aggravate a host of health problems such as asthma, heart conditions and other respiratory conditions. Seniors, children and those with compromised immune systems should be particularly careful,” according to the Weather Service website.

Cuyahoga is one of eight counties under the alert. The others are:

• Ashtabula
• Geauga
• Lake
• Lorain
• Medina
• Portage
• Summit

Anyone in the affected counties should limit their time outside, if possible, to limit exposure to potentially unsafe air conditions.

A number of schools are also closed due to the heat and humidity. You can check the updated iAlert school closing list HERE.

“Air quality levels will be unhealthy for sensitive groups during this period,” according to the Weather Service. “If you are in the sensitive groups category of children, the elderly and those with breathing difficulties, please monitor your outdoor activity and check air quality readings at airnow.gov. Additionally, sign-up at enviroflash.info for text alerts”

Here is more advice from the National Weather Service: 

• Drive less: bike, walk, use transit, work from home, combine trips
• Visit gohiocommute.com/noaca to learn about different ways to travel
• Don`t idle – Turn off your engine
• Refill your tank after sunset
• Wait to mow the lawn

The Weather Services estimates that poor air quality costs the United States $150 billion annually in related illnesses.