[ADEQ Forecasts] ADEQ Extends Air Pollution Health Watch through Weekend, May 16-17

[forecasts@lists.azdeq.gov]

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

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

Health message for Friday, May 15: Unusually Sensitive People should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.  

Health message for Saturday, May 16: Unusually Sensitive People should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.  

Synopsis and Discussion
AN OZONE HEALTH WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2009
AND HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, MAY 16-17, 2009
   High pressure will strengthen through out the weekend while sliding northeast, near the Four Corners region by Sunday afternoon.  This will not only produce extreme heat (near 110°F in the hottest locations) on Sunday, but it will also pull in some moisture from the south.  Though this monsoon-like pattern won't bring any thunderstorms to the Valley, there could be some cloud build-ups over the mountains to the north and east.  
   Air quality-wise, easterly winds typically trigger high local ozone concentrations here in the Phoenix forecast.  The reason for this is because the normal west-to-east afternoon flow of air (and ultimately the invisible ozone plume) is stuffed and forced back towards the west and north by the overriding easterly winds.  Increasing ozone and precursor accumulations on Friday could lead to levels approaching the health standard on Saturday and Sunday due to the prohibiting easterly flow.  Thus, we are EXTENDING the Ozone Health Watch through Sunday.  The weather pattern will begin to change by the middle of next week with the high pressure slipping east, allowing the winds to turn out of the southwest once again.  Check back on Sunday for more on this current ozone situation, as well as a look at the coming work-week's weather and air quality.  Until then, have a great weekend!  -J.Paul

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