Dust Risk-Based Forecast | Pinal County

Updated On: 02/14/20 - 9:32 AM

Saturday

Stagnation: Light stagnation

Wind: Light becoming west to northwest 3-8 mph

Sunday

Stagnation: Light stagnation

Wind: Light winds

Monday

Stagnation: Light stagnation

Wind: Light becoming west 4-10 mph

Tuesday

Stagnation: Light stagnation

Wind: Light east to northeast becoming west in the afternoon 4-9 mph

Wednesday

Stagnation: Light stagnation

Wind: Light becoming south to southwest 5-10 mph

Forecast Discussion:

What can be said? Sounds like a broken record, this holiday weekend will be another wonderful weather weekend with dry conditions and comfortable temperatures. No significant weather changes are expected through early next week. Early morning temperatures inversions will help trap particulates close to the ground and elevate them a bit, especially in/around Hidden Valley which is forecast to reach the moderate AQI category Sunday through Tuesday, though still in the low dust risk category. The rest of the PM10 monitoring locations are forecast to remain in the good AQI category through the weekend and early next week mainly because the ground surfaces are still relatively saturated and will take some time (week or two) to dry out enough to where it will affect the overall daily PM10 averages. Looking at the longer range forecast (middle to end of next week), a weak upper level low pressure system may develop to our north and west. At this point, the area of its development and the projected patch into/through our area make it most likely a dry system. Stay tuned and check back on Tuesday for an updated dust risk forecast.

- S.DiBiase
Pinal County Air Quality Meteorologist