[ADEQ Forecasts] ADEQ Daily Air Quality Forecast - Friday, August 12, 2011

[forecasts@lists.azdeq.gov]

Health message for Thursday, August 11: Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged exertion outdoors.

Health message for Friday, August 12: Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged exertion outdoors.


Synopsis and Discussion:    
Little change is expected in the weather pattern over the next several days.  High pressure will generally remain southeast of Arizona, keeping a modest mixture of moisture from the south and dry air from the southwest.  Thunderstorm activity will be sporadic and spotty at best the next several days.  Phoenix will see a 10-30% chance of showers and storms through early next week.  The partly cloudy mornings will help stall ozone generation in the Valley.  Models suggest a more west-to-east flow will push the invisible plume east of downtown Phoenix.  This puts the highest concentrations on Friday around Blue Point, Apache Junction, Queen Valley, etc.  Saturday may see a little bit of a push back with a flow shift out of the east.  This means higher concentrations in the heart of the Valley are possible on Saturday.  We'll see what tomorrow's model run has to say.
Higley and Chandler were once again ground zero for weak dust storm that was triggered by dying storms near Casa Grande last night. Chandler saw a concentration of 628.2µg/m3 at 9pm and Higley had a 1-hour concentration of 448.8µg/m3 just 60 minutes later.  Fortunately the dust settled quickly without much affect to the rest of the Valley.  Continued popcorn thunderstorm activity south of the forecast area will keep the threat of Valley dust elevated.  
    
Check back tomorrow for the weekend's weather and air quality forecast.  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