Dust Risk-Based Forecast | Pinal County

Updated On: 09/25/20 - 9:27 AM

Saturday

Stagnation: Light stagnation

Wind: Light becoming west to west-southwest 5-15 mph

Sunday

Stagnation: Light stagnation

Wind: Light becoming west to west-northwest 4-9 mph

Monday

Stagnation: Light stagnation

Wind: Light becoming northeast 5-10 mph

Tuesday

Stagnation: Light stagnation

Wind: Light becoming east 5-15 mph, gusts to 20 mph, diminishing late

Wednesday

Stagnation: Light stagnation

Wind: Light winds

Forecast Discussion:

A weak trough currently located over the northwestern United States will dig southeastward into and through the Rockies this weekend/early next week. Additionally high pressure located to our southwest will reposition towards the northwestern United States by early next week. There will be a pressure gradient that sets up for the local area by next Tuesday and as such will bring an increase in easterly winds. Prior to that, this weekend's weather will feature abundant sunshine and slightly above normal temperatures. The early morning conditions around Hidden Valley this weekend are forecast to be less conducive for long periods of elevated PM10 concentrations and so the dust risk forecasts are in the moderate category. The aforementioned synoptic setup early next week brings about a change in the early morning winds at Hidden Valley in addition to other periods of the day where easterly winds will play a part in bringing PM10 spikes to that monitoring location. Therefore there are PM10 exceedances forecast to take place at Hidden Valley next Monday through Wednesday and so have high dust risks forecast for each day. Check back on Monday for an updated dust risk forecast.

- S.DiBiase
Pinal County Air Quality Meteorologist