[ADEQ Forecasts] ADEQ Daily Air Quality Forecast - Thursday, December 30, 2010

[forecasts@lists.azdeq.gov]

Health message for Wednesday, December 29: Unusually sensitive people
should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

Health message for Thursday, December 30: Unusually sensitive people
should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.


Synopsis and Discussion:    
Clouds and rain have begun to sweep across the deserts.  Showers in the
Valley will develop after noon with measurable rain falling through
early Thursday.  Total rain amounts will generally range from 0.50 -
1.50 inches, the highest in the upslope areas of the north and east part
of the Valley.  Snow totals in the mountains of northern and eastern
Arizona will range from 10 - 20 inches.  Blizzard Warnings have been
issued for the mountains of eastern Arizona through Thursday morning.
Air quality was good across the Phoenix forecast Tuesday with the
exception of the usual PM2.5 monitors.  Wood burning smoke pushed
Phoenix Supersites monitor into the mid MODERATE range and three others
in the lower part of that category.  The rain will help clear the air a
bit today and Thursday.  As the system heads east, we will see a brief
return of the high pressure ridge.  This will only result calmer winds
and clearer skies.  Afternoon desert temperatures will still struggle to
reach the lower 50s Friday and Saturday.  Morning low temps are expected
to fall below the freezing mark.   This means that very strong
inversions are likely, trapping any pollution near the surface all day
long Friday and Saturday.  Expected fireplace activity along with
remnant smoke from firework displays across the Valley will likely send
PM2.5 levels well above the health standards Friday and Saturday.
Better mixing Sunday should help improve the air quality situation.
Expect a High Pollution Advisory to be issued tomorrow for Friday and an
extension on Friday for Saturday. 

Check back tomorrow for the more.  Until then, have a good day!  -J.Paul


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

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


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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