[ADEQ Forecasts] ADEQ Issues Ozone Health Watch for Thursday, June 25, 2009

[forecasts@lists.azdeq.gov]

For more information, please visit our Web page:
http://www.azdeq.gov/ensemble.pdf

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


Health message for Wednesday, June 24: Active children and adults, and people with lung disease such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. 
Health message for Thursday, June 25: Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. 

Synopsis and Discussion
AN OZONE HIGH POLLUTION ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR TODAY JUNE 24
AN OZONE HEALTH WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THURSDAY JUNE 25
Prior to Monday's two 8-hour ozone exceedances, the local forecast area had experienced 14 consecutive days and 22 out of 23 days with ozone levels in the good range of the Air Quality Index.  There have only been three exceedance days so far this season and only eight site exceedances.  By this date in 2008 there had already been 17 exceedance days and 75 site exceedances.  At noon under mostly sunny skies and with winds 10 mph or less Valley-wide, ozone production is very efficient and accumulation much above average. As of 10:00 a.m. all but two local monitoring sites had hourly readings above those of 24 hours ago - from five parts per billion at Fountain Hills to 20-25 ppb at Central Phoenix, Tempe, West Chandler, and South Scottsdale. Absolute hourly reading ranged from 45 ppb at Buckeye & South Phoenix to 61 ppb at West Chandler.  If this trend continues, unhealthy levels of ozone will occur later today, so the Ozone High Pollution Advisory will remain in effect.  A significant increase in summer monsoon activity is forecast to occur the next 24-36 hours, and the accompanying lingering cloud cover and higher winds should dampen ozone production on Thursday.  However, a dense blowing dust event due to outflow winds is possible by early Thursday evening.


If you have any questions or comments regarding this forecast please contact:
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Communications
1110 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 771-2215
ms15@azdeq.gov

 
 

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