Phoenix Forecast

Image of the skyline of downtown phoenix

Air Quality Hourly Forecast | Phoenix

Updated On: 5/14/2021 - 8:26 AM
Click on each day to view forecast.

Friday Forecast:

Alert: Ozone High Pollution Advisory in effect for Friday

Ozone

101 AQI
Max 8-hr Avg: 71 ppb

PM10

57 AQI
24-hr Avg: 67 µg/m3

PM2.5

50 AQI
24-hr Avg: 12.0 µg/m3

Saturday Forecast:


Ozone

74 AQI
Max 8-hr Avg: 62 ppb

PM10

51 AQI
24-hr Avg: 56 µg/m3

PM2.5

35 AQI
24-hr Avg: 8.3 µg/m3

Sunday Forecast:


Ozone

67 AQI
Max 8-hr Avg: 60 ppb

PM10

54 AQI
24-hr Avg: 61 µg/m3

PM2.5

38 AQI
24-hr Avg: 9.2 µg/m3

Monday Forecast:


Ozone

87 AQI
Max 8-hr Avg: 66 ppb

PM10

52 AQI
24-hr Avg: 57 µg/m3

PM2.5

36 AQI
24-hr Avg: 8.7 µg/m3

Tuesday Forecast:


Ozone

84 AQI
Max 8-hr Avg: 65 ppb

PM10

56 AQI
24-hr Avg: 65 µg/m3

PM2.5

38 AQI
24-hr Avg: 9.0 µg/m3

Air Quality By Pollutant:

Pollutant
Friday
5/14/2021
Saturday
5/15/2021
Sunday
5/16/2021
Monday
5/17/2021
Tuesday
5/18/2021
O3
101
74
67
87
84
PM10
57
51
54
52
56
PM2.5
50
35
38
36
38
Pollutant
FRI
SAT
SUN
MON
TUE
O3
101
74
67
87
84
PM10
57
51
54
52
56
PM2.5
50
35
38
36
38
O3 = Ozone, PM10 = Particles ≤ 10 microns, PM2.5 = Particles ≤ 2.5 microns

Forecast Discussion:

Yesterday (Thursday), Phoenix Sky Harbor hit a high of 102 degrees, making it the fourth time this year with a high of 100+. Just for fun, looking back at the number of 100 degree plus days from Jan 1st through May 13th, we already had 13 days last year, and the record for that period goes to 1989 with 15 days! So this year is certainly not as bad as it could be.

With that said, today will likely be the fifth day so far this year with a high of 100+ as high pressure still has a bit of control over our weather, although it is on the move. Satellite this morning shows high pressure moving east and is currently centered over New Mexico. This shift is in response to a very weak disturbance moving east through Southern California and another stronger system along the coast of the Pacific Northwest.

Today, the main influence from the weak system will be a slight increase in afternoon breezes. Skies will remain clear throughout the day and for the first part of the day into the early afternoon, expecting mainly light winds. This will likely be enough to increase ozone production and allow the 8-hour average to rise above the federal health standard before breezes increase later this afternoon. As a result, a High Pollution Advisory is in effect for Phoenix today.

This weekend, the stronger system currently in the Pacific Northwest will drop down the coast and into Arizona Sunday through Monday before moving eastward on Tuesday. This system will usher in cooler temperatures, with forecast highs lowering into the low 90s Sunday and Monday. It will also aid in increasing southwest winds into the 10-15mph on Saturday and into the 15-25 mph range on Sunday.

These increased breezes will be enough to limit ozone build-up in the Valley, so forecasting ozone levels to lower back into the Moderate AQI category (below the High Pollution Advisory/Watch threshold). We could see some patches of blowing dust, especially Sunday afternoon, with the stronger winds, so we have raised PM-10 concentrations during the afternoon hours.

Have a great weekend, and enjoy the slightly cooler temperatures coming in on Sunday!

- M. Pace
ADEQ Meteorologist

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