[ADEQ Forecasts] ADEQ Issues an Ozone Health Watch for Today, Friday, June 18, 2010 for the Phoenix Metro Area

[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 Friday, June 18: Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. 

Health message for Saturday, June 19: Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. 


Synopsis and Discussion
*A SAME-DAY Ozone Health Watch for Friday, June 18, 2010 has been issued*
A near-exceedance at North Phoenix on Thursday broke the streak of three consecutive perfect ozone forecasts.  Otherwise, it would have been four in a row.  Early Friday morning, visibility was down slightly.  Even though ozone is a colorless, odorless, gas, its precursors (car emissions) can affect visibility.  A quick look at morning ozone values shows most site concentrations slightly lower than they were 24 hours earlier.  However, North Phoenix is very similar to where it was at the same time yesterday.  Based on this and the fact that winds should remain mostly light today, a same-day Ozone Health Watch is being issued for Friday.

Models continue to show a decrease in ozone concentrations this weekend.  A stronger southwest to northeasterly flow should keep ozone and precursor on the move just enough to prevent exposure for too long.  Maximum concentrations are expected to be in the mid "Moderate" category on Saturday and Sunday as result.  

Particulates will again hold in the upper "Good" range into early next week.  It's possible that one or two monitors along the Salt River may pop into the lower "Moderate" range, but no significant health concerns are expected from either PM10 or PM2.5 during the next several days.

We'll have next week's latest weather and air quality information for you on Sunday.  Until then, have a great weekend!  -J.Paul


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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