[ADEQ Forecasts] ADEQ Issues an Ozone Health Watch for the Phoenix Metro Area for Tuesday, May 04, 2010

[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 Monday, May 03: Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.   

Health message for Tuesday, May 04: Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. 


Synopsis and Discussion
*AN OZONE HEALTH WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR TUESDAY MAY 04*
Sunday was the fourth day out of the past five during which wind gusts in excess of 40 mph occurred in the Phoenix metro area.  Max winds on Sunday reached 52 mph at Chandler Airport at 2:00 p.m., and peak hourly PM-10 (coarse particle) concentrations reached 687.1ug./3 at the West Forty Third monitoring site and 702.3ug/m3 at South Phoenix.  The upper level trough responsible for the windy conditions has moved east, and AZ will be situated between a strong sub-tropical ridge aloft over Mexico and an active storm track over the northern tier of states thru at least Friday.  The gradient between the two, along with strong daytime heating, will yield breezy to gusty winds each afternoon over the Phoenix metro area thru this forecast period.  No blowing dust is expected and PM-10 levels should be relatively low.  The same can not be said of ozone, however.  The aforementioned weather pattern will be highly conducive to the transport of ozone and/or its precursors from CA as early as this afternoon, and forecast models are indicating that a nearly continuous flow from CA is possible - particularly in the 5K-10K' layer - thru at least Thursday.  In conjunction with sunny skies, strong solar gain, and afternoon temperatures in the 90's, a major increase in local ozone levels appears likely.  As a result, an Ozone Health Watch has been issued for the metro area but due to afternoon westerly winds, the east Valley will be the most susceptible to high ozone concentrations. -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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