[ADEQ Forecasts] ADEQ Issues Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Health Watch for the Phoenix Metro Area for Wednesday, November 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 Tuesday November 24: Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.

Health message for Wednesday November 25: Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.


Synopsis and Discussion
A PM-2.5 HEALTH WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 25
Another stagnant period this a.m. with a strong (6-7 deg C) inversion, light winds, and less than favorable dispersion. More elevated hourly particle pollutant concentrations as well with PM-10 (coarse particle) readings of 111.9ug/m3 at the Greenwood monitoring site, 123.1ug/m3 at West Phoenix, 140.2ug/m3 at South Phoenix, 167.9ug/m3 at Buckeye, 184.2ug/m3 at West Forty Third, 208.9ug/m3 at Higley, and 273.5ug/m3 at Durango.  Durango also reported an hourly PM-2.5 (fine particle) reading of 65.3ug/m3.       It appears that some relief may be on the way in the form of higher easterly surface gradient winds by Wednesday morning, but it is too early to be certain if said winds will affect the entire metro area.  Also, warm air aloft will keep mixing depths rather low while very dry air and lack of cloud cover will encourage overnight inversion formation.  In the past under similar conditions smoke from local wood-burning fireplace use has resulted in near-to-unhealthy levels of PM-2.5 leading up to Thanksgiving Day, so a PM-2.5 Health Watch has been issued for Wednesday as a precaution for those with heart or lung disease. If winds and dispersion do indeed improve Valley-wide as hoped, it is doubtful that it will have to be extended. -Reith 


If you have any questions or comments regarding this forecast please contact:

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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