Phoenix Forecast

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Air Quality Hourly Forecast | Phoenix

Updated On: 7/4/2022 - 7:14 AM
Click on each day to view forecast.

Monday Forecast:


Ozone

50 AQI
Max 8-hr Avg: 54 ppb

PM10

41 AQI
24-hr Avg: 44 µg/m3

PM2.5

54 AQI
24-hr Avg: 13.5 µg/m3

Tuesday Forecast:


Ozone

61 AQI
Max 8-hr Avg: 58 ppb

PM10

52 AQI
24-hr Avg: 58 µg/m3

PM2.5

48 AQI
24-hr Avg: 11.5 µg/m3

Wednesday Forecast:


Ozone

71 AQI
Max 8-hr Avg: 61 ppb

PM10

51 AQI
24-hr Avg: 56 µg/m3

PM2.5

37 AQI
24-hr Avg: 8.9 µg/m3

Thursday Forecast:

Alert: Ozone High Pollution Watch in effect for Thursday Health Impacts >

Ozone

101 AQI
Max 8-hr Avg: 71 ppb

PM10

52 AQI
24-hr Avg: 58 µg/m3

PM2.5

38 AQI
24-hr Avg: 9.0 µg/m3

Friday Forecast:

Alert: Ozone High Pollution Watch in effect for Friday Health Impacts >

Ozone

105 AQI
Max 8-hr Avg: 72 ppb

PM10

54 AQI
24-hr Avg: 61 µg/m3

PM2.5

38 AQI
24-hr Avg: 9.1 µg/m3

Air Quality By Pollutant:

Pollutant
Monday
7/4/2022
Tuesday
7/5/2022
Wednesday
7/6/2022
Thursday
7/7/2022
Friday
7/8/2022
O3
50
61
71
101
105
PM10
41
52
51
52
54
PM2.5
54
48
37
38
38
Pollutant
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
O3
50
61
71
101
105
PM10
41
52
51
52
54
PM2.5
54
48
37
38
38
O3 = Ozone, PM10 = Particles ≤ 10 microns, PM2.5 = Particles ≤ 2.5 microns

Forecast Discussion:

Happy 4th of July! The pattern has not changed significantly over the past 48 hours or so. A large ridge of high pressure is centered over Lousiana with a trough of low pressure parked off the West Coast of the United States. Arizona is sandwiched between these two systems bringing a southwest flow to the region, which means drier air has filtered in. In fact, dew points this morning are in the 40s, which is 20 degrees lower than what we saw on Friday morning.

The one interesting thing to note is the weak disturbance lifting northward out of Mexico and into the southern portion of Arizona. This disturbance will continue moving north/northeast and may increase thunderstorm chances, especially across the eastern portion of Arizona. For the Valley, the best chance of storms this afternoon/evening will be across the East Valley (chances are around 20%), with a better chance of outflow winds. While these winds may pick up some dust, we are not expecting dust to be very dense.

For the rest of the week, as the trough moves slightly further east, drier air will take back over with all storm chances staying out of the Valley. By the end of the week into the weekend, the trough will lift toward the northeast, allowing high pressure to build back toward the west. This pattern shift will result in a warming trend (highs possibly back into the 110s) and a slow increase in moisture.

As for air quality, ozone has been in the Good AQI category for the past two days, with the trough off the coast increasing breezes at the surface and higher up in the atmosphere. With this pattern not expected to change much, forecasting ozone to remain in the upper Good to Moderate AQI category today through Wednesday. With the pattern starting to change, expecting lighter winds Thursday into Friday, which will allow ozone to once again rise, so an Ozone High Pollution Watch will be in effect for both days. Also of note, while firework activity around the Valley will allow PM-2.5 values to increase this evening/overnight, they are not expected to result in an exceedance. Overnight temperatures are much warmer than what we see in the winter (when we typically exceed on New Year's), so inversions are not as strong, which allows the smoke to disperse much better and higher off the ground.

Have a fun and safe 4th!

- M. Pace
ADEQ Meteorologist

What Flag Should I Fly?

Monday: Yellow
Tuesday: Yellow

What is the Flag Program and how can my school/organization join? | Learn More >

Ozone & Your Health

People most vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution include children, older adults, adults exercising outdoors, people with heart or lung disease, and those suffering from asthma and bronchitis. Exposure to ozone can increase the number and severity of asthma attacks, cause or aggravate bronchitis or other lung disease, and reduce the body's ability to fight infection. Symptoms may include itchy eyes, nose and throat, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and upper respiratory issues | View ADEQ Ozone Fact Sheet >

Please help reduce ozone by doing one or more of the following:
  • Drive as little as possible, carpool, use public transit or telecommute
  • Re-fuel your vehicle in the evening
  • Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, if possible
  • Use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers - delay big painting projects
  • Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals, and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air