[ADEQ Forecasts] ADEQ Daily Air Quality Forecast - Thursday, February 23, 2012

[forecasts@lists.azdeq.gov]

Health message for Wednesday, February 22: Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged exertion outdoors.

Health message for Thursday, February 23: Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged exertion outdoors.


Synopsis and Discussion
Some high clouds are dancing over top of the Valley at the moment, but that won't keep temperatures down.  Highs are expected to reach the lower 80s in some parts of the Valley Wednesday and just about the entire forecast area by Thursday.  Winds remain fairly light as well.  Air quality levels are pretty much where we expected them, with only two local monitors reaching the lower Moderate range.  Little change is expected through early Saturday.

Residents in the west valley may have noticed some smoke yesterday and today.  There is currently a mulch fire burning near Sarival and Camelback roads, just south of Luke Air Force Base.  The White Tank Mountain visibility camera shows some haze, but it's a little difficult to pick out the smoke with the high clouds over head.

The nearest air quality monitor downwind of the fire would be the Dysart monitor, about 9 miles north-northeast of the fire.  Glendale is the next closest, about 13 miles to east northeast.  Neither monitor is showing any elevated levels as of 11am.  With southwest winds, the smoke plume will likely drift between the two during the daytime hours before settling locally at night.  Lingering smoke is possible as long as the mulch piles continue to smolder.  We'll keep a close eye on the monitors and make necessary adjustments to the forecast if warranted over the next few days.

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


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

For transportation alternatives:
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