[ADEQ Forecasts] ADEQ AIR QUALITY FORECAST FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2009

[forecasts@lists.azdeq.gov]

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

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

Health message for Monday February 23: Unusually sensitive people should
consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.  

Health message for Tuesday February 24: Unusually sensitive people
should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. 

Synopsis and Discussion
Local morning ACARS sounding data adequately illustrates that a stagnant
weather regime has returned to the Valley.  A moderate (6-7 deg C) and
tall (~2600') surface-based radiation inversion managed to form
overnight and the best mixing depth today calculates out to be just
short of 3700'.  PM-10 (coarse particles) trapped within this shallow
layer have exhibited an upward trend at most locations; thru 8:00 a.m.
highest hourly concentrations reached 115.3ug/m3 at the Higley
monitoring site, 141.1ug/m3 at Coyote Lakes, and 161.3ug/m3 at West
Forty Third.  On the other hand, fine particle (PM-2.5) levels remain
relatively low after recording a notable increase Saturday night & early
Sunday morning - most likely due to smoke emissions from fireplace
usage.  During the same period carbon monoxide concentrations reached
their highest levels since early January.  Recent considerable and thick
cloud cover has helped to limit local ozone production and will continue
to do so thru Tuesday.  However, mostly sunny skies on Wednesday, along
more afternoon temperatures in the middle 80's - and even some weak
ozone precursor transport from California - may result in readings that
approach the moderate range of the Air Quality Index. -Reith  

**********************************************************************
NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR 
CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific 
individual(s) to whom it is addressed.  It may contain information that is 
privileged and confidential under state and federal law.  This information 
may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be 
subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the 
information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-
mail in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-
mail, and then delete the original e-mail.  Thank you.