[ADEQ Forecasts] ADEQ Extends Air Pollution Health Watch through Tues., Dec. 23

[forecasts@lists.azdeq.gov]

http://www.azdeq.gov/ensemble.pdf

For transportation alternatives:
http://www.valleymetro.org

Health message for Monday, December 23: Unusually Sensitive People should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.

Health message for Tuesday, December 24: Unusually Sensitive People should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.
	
Synopsis and Discussion
*THE PM-2.5 HEALTH WATCH FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 
HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2008*
   Rain will develop to the north of the Valley overnight Monday into Tuesday morning will a few shower possibly sliding south into the forecast area.  Once again it is the works of a large trough of low pressure that continues to send wave after wave of energy through the deserts.  There will be a break on Wednesday before another pulse pushes into Arizona on Christmas Day.  This means many mountainous areas of Arizona will in fact have a white Christmas while the deserts, including Phoenix, should have a wet one.  This second wave will come from a separate area of low pressure barreling in from the Pacific, west of Los Angeles.  It will be somewhat of a warmer system, however, as afternoon desert temperatures are expected to be in the mid 60s on Christmas Day despite the clouds and rain.
   Two west valley locations exceeded the PM-2.5 health standard on Sunday (West Phoenix and Phoenix Supersite).  It's not much of shock since fireplaces were going in many valley neighborhoods during the daytime as well.  The high in Phoenix was 63°F with mostly clear skies and light winds, so festive daytime fireplace use was absolutely not necessary and undoubtedly the reason for the exceedances.  Luckily early morning rain on Tuesday may help alleviate some of this low-level smoke.  On the other hand, the break in weather on Christmas Eve likely means that we will see more exceedances.  Improvement is possible on Christmas Day depending on the timing and how widespread the showers may be.  We are going to EXTEND the PM-2.5 Health Watch through Tuesday for now with the possibility of increasing it to a full-blown HPA on Wednesday.  Check back tomorrow for the latest.  Have a good day!  -J.Paul  

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