The dreaded air quality alerts are back.

State environmental officials were warning that air was expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups on Wednesday as temps spike into the 90s in spots.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has issued an air quality alert for more ground level ozone in the atmosphere than usual.

“An Air Quality Alert means that Ground Level Ozone concentrations within the region may approach or exceed levels that are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” the National Weather Service’s Boston office posted.

“Air is unhealthy for sensitive children and adults, such as those with asthma, lung or heart disease, and older adults,” NWS Boston added. “Sensitive children and adults should limit prolonged outdoor activity.”

The alert will be for Suffolk, Middlesex, Essex, Norfolk, and Worcester counties, along with eastern Hampden and Hampshire counties.

Air Quality Alert: MassDEP has posted an Air Quality Advisory for sensitive populations, effective tomorrow (May 22) from 11am-11pm for eastern #Hampden and #Hampshire counties, as well as #Worcester, #Middlesex, #Norfolk, #Suffolk, and #Essex counties: https://t.co/rL3Rm8inji pic.twitter.com/qney3yCss6

— MassDEP (@MassDEP) May 21, 2024

“If you’re outside, remember to take it easy,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Rob Megnia. “If you’re not feeling well, go inside for awhile until you feel better.”

Last summer, MassDEP issued numerous air quality alerts for the Canadian wildfire smoke impacting the region.

Wednesday’s air quality alert is not because of any wildfire smoke, while other parts of the country have been dealing with that again this year.

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Wednesday will be the hottest day of the week, with high temps reaching into the upper 80s inland and low 90s in the hottest locations like the Merrimack Valley.

Those along the South Coast will be spared the hot temps, thanks to onshore flow keeping temps in the 70s.

Up in New Hampshire, the Granite State will also have an air quality alert for Wednesday.

“Sensitive individuals include children and older adults; anyone with lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis; and people who are active outdoors,” NWS posted. “Even healthy individuals may experience mild health effects and should consider limiting strenuous or prolonged outdoor activities.”